It amuses me," she continued,
"to think how strict they were to us, when I see how they spoil their
grand-children!"
The table was laid under the tree again, and taking her place before
the teacups, Mrs. Thornbury beckoned and nodded until she had collected
quite a number of people, Susan and Arthur and Mr. Pepper, who were
strolling about, waiting for the tournament to begin. A murmuring tree,
a river brimming in the moonlight, Terence's words came back to Rachel
as she sat drinking the tea and listening to the words which flowed on
so lightly, so kindly, and with such silvery smoothness. This long life
and all these children had left her very smooth; they seemed to have
rubbed away the marks of individuality, and to have left only what was
old and maternal.
"And the things you young people are going to see!" Mrs. Thornbury
continued. She included them all in her forecast, she included them all
in her maternity, although the party comprised William Pepper and Miss
Allan, both of whom might have been supposed to have seen a fair share
of the panorama. "When I see how the world has changed in my lifetime,"
she went on, "I can set no limit to what may happen in the next fifty
years. Ah, no, Mr. Pepper, I don't agree with you in the least," she
laughed, interrupting his gloomy remark about things going steadily from
bad to worse. "I know I ought to feel that, but I don't, I'm afraid.
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