Mrs. Constance died , and in her will she left to Margaret her little up-country cottage and enough money to provide her an income for the rest of her life . Margaret took immediate possession of her little house and , with the aid of a capable old servant , soon found herself very comfortable . She realized that her days of drudgery were over , and that henceforth life would be a very different thing from what it had been . Margaret meant to have `` a good time . '' She had never had any pleasure and now she was resolved to garner in all she could of the joys of existence . `` I 'm not going to do a single useful thing for a year , '' she had told Mrs. Boyd gaily . `` Just think of it -- a whole delightful year of vacation , to go and come at will , to read , travel , dream , rest . After that , I mean to see if I can find something to do for other folks , but I 'm going to have this one golden year . And the first thing in it is our trip to Vancouver . I 'm so glad I have the chance to go with you . It 's a wee bit short notice , but I 'll be ready when you want to start . '' Altogether , Margaret felt pretty well satisfied with life as she tripped blithely down the country road between the ranks of snow-laden spruces , with the blue sky above and the crisp , exhilarating air all about . There was only one drawback , but it was a pretty serious one . It 's so lonely by spells , Margaret sometimes thought wistfully . All the joys my good fortune has brought me ca n't quite fill my heart . There 's always one little empty , aching spot . Oh , if I had somebody of my very own to love and care for , a mother , a sister , even a cousin . But there 's nobody . I have n't a relative in the world , and there are times when I 'd give almost anything to have one . Well , I must try to be satisfied with friendship , instead .
XXXXX 's meditations were interrupted by a brisk footstep behind her , and presently Dr. Forbes came up .
Boyd Constance Margaret Vancouver days first heart house spruces year