noon
When she came downstairs , Mrs. Gooch was pleased and surprised to observe the placid smile upon her face , and the quiet activity with which , after the morning meal , she moved about by the good woman 's side assisting her in her dairywork and other housewife tasks , talking little , comprehending quickly , -- composed , cheerful . `` I am so glad to see you do n't pine after your good grandpapa , as we feared you would . '' `` He told me not to pine , '' answered Sophy , simply , but with a quivering lip . When the noon deepened , and it became too warm for exercise , Sophy timidly asked if Mrs. Gooch had any worsted and knitting-needles , and being accommodated with those implements and materials , she withdrew to the arbour , and seated herself to work , -- solitary and tranquil . What made , perhaps , the chief strength in this poor child 's nature was its intense trustfulness , -- a part , perhaps , of its instinctive appreciation of truth . She trusted in Waife , in the future , in Providence , in her own childish , not helpless , self . Already , as her slight fingers sorted the worsteds and her graceful taste shaded their hues into blended harmony , her mind was weaving , not less harmoniously , the hues in the woof of dreams , -- the cottage home , the harmless tasks , Waife with his pipe in the armchair under some porch , covered like that one yonder , -- why not ?