One day Jordan carried her out to the bench and then he picked all the roses that were out and heaped them over her ; and she just smiled up at him ... and closed her eyes ... and that , '' concluded Diana softly , `` was the end . '' `` Oh , what a dear story , '' sighed Anne , wiping away her tears . `` What became of Jordan ? '' asked Priscilla . `` He sold the farm after Hester died and went back to Boston . Mr. Jabez Sloane bought the farm and hauled the little house out to the road . Jordan died about ten years after and he was brought home and buried beside Hester . '' `` I ca n't understand how she could have wanted to live back here , away from everything , '' said Jane . `` Oh , I can easily understand THAT , '' said Anne thoughtfully . `` I would n't want it myself for a steady thing , because , although I love the fields and woods , I love people too . But I can understand it in Hester . She was tired to death of the noise of the big city and the crowds of people always coming and going and caring nothing for her . She just wanted to escape from it all to some still , green , friendly place where she could rest . And she got just what she wanted , which is something very few people do , I believe . She had four beautiful years before she died ... four years of perfect happiness , so I think she was to be envied more than pitied . And then to shut your eyes and fall asleep among roses , with the one you loved best on earth smiling down at you ... oh , I think it was beautiful ! '' `` She set out those cherry trees over there , '' said Diana . `` She told mother she 'd never live to eat their fruit , but she wanted to think that something she had planted would go on living and helping to make the world beautiful after she was dead . '' `` I 'm so glad we came this way , '' said Anne , the shining-eyed . `` This is my adopted birthday , you know , and this garden and its story is the birthday gift it has given me .
Did your mother ever tell you what Hester Gray looked like , XXXXX ? ''
Anne Boston Diana Jane Jordan Priscilla Sloane escape fall years