Still , ever since her marriage , Elizabeth had been practically an outsider and an alien . As the years came and went the Ingelows at home remembered only at long intervals that they had a sister on the western prairies . One of these remembrances came to Charlotte Ingelow on a spring afternoon when the great orchards about the Grange were pink and white with apple and cherry blossoms , and over every hill and field was a delicate , flower-starred green . A soft breeze was blowing loose petals from the August Sweeting through the open door of the wide hall when Charlotte came through it . Ellen and George were standing on the steps outside . `` This kind of a day always makes me think of Elizabeth , '' said Charlotte dreamily . `` It was in apple-blossom time she went away . '' The Ingelows always spoke of Elizabeth 's going away , never of her marrying . `` Seventeen years ago , '' said Ellen . `` Why , Elizabeth 's oldest child must be quite a young woman now ! I -- I -- '' a sudden idea swept over and left her a little breathless . `` I would really like to see her . '' `` Then why do n't you write and ask her to come east and visit us ? '' asked George , who did not often speak , but who always spoke to some purpose when he did . Ellen and Charlotte looked at each other . `` I would like to see Elizabeth 's child , '' repeated Ellen firmly . `` Do you think she would come ? '' asked Charlotte . `` You know when James Sheldon died five years ago , we wrote to Elizabeth and asked her to come home and live with us , and she seemed almost resentful in the letter she wrote back . I 've never said so before , but I 've often thought it . ''
`` Yes , she did , '' said XXXXX , who had often thought so too , but never said so .
Charlotte Elizabeth Ellen Grange Ingelow Ingelows Sheldon afternoon apple-blossom years