Which is the very shortest way?
No, Ann, we can't take you." Little Ann, after regarding her great-grandmother rather too intently, replied: "Well, I can't come, you see, because I've got to go." "Very well," said Lady Casterley, "then trot along." Little Ann, tightening her lips, walked to the next colony of Nemesia, and bent over the colonists with concentration, showing clearly that she had found something more interesting than had yet been encountered.
"Ha!" said Lady Casterley, and led on at her brisk pace towards the avenue.
All the way down the drive she discoursed on woodcraft, glancing sharply at the trees.

Forestry--she said-like building, and all other pursuits which required, faith and patient industry, was a lost art in this second-hand age.

She had made Barbara's grandfather practise it, so that at Catton (her country place) and even at Ravensham, the trees were worth looking at.

Here, at Monkland, they were monstrously neglected.
To have the finest Italian cypress in the country, for example, and not take more care of it, was a downright scandal! Barbara listened, smiling lazily.

Granny was so amusing in her energy and precision, and her turns of speech, so deliberately homespun, as if she--than whom none could better use a stiff and polished phrase, or the refinements of the French language--were determined to take what liberties she liked.