She brought her mind back to the present.

Mrs.Alwynn had just finished a detailed account of a difference of opinion between herself and the curate's wife on the previous day.
"And she had not a word to say, my dear, not a word--quite _hors de combat_--so I let the matter drop.

And you remember that beautiful pig we killed last week?
You should have gone to look at it hanging up, Ruth, rolling in fat, it was.

Well, it is better to give than to receive, so I shall send her one of the pork-pies.

And if you will get me one of those round baskets which I took the dolls down to the school-feast in--they are in the lowest shelf of the oak chest in the hall--I'll send it down to her at once." Ruth fetched the basket and put it down by her aunt.