The delightfully commonplace remark tranquillized Mrs. Dean at once , and , taking off the upper shawl with a fussy gesture , she settled herself for a chat . `` Yes , thank heaven , Sy is well . I do n't know what would become of us if she was n't . It has been a hard and sorrowful year for us with Mr. Dean 's business embarrassments , my feeble health , and May 's death . I do n't know that you were aware of our loss , sir ; '' and unaffected maternal grief gave sudden dignity to the faded , fretful face of the speaker . Paul murmured his regrets , understanding better now the pathetic words on a certain tear-stained page of the little book still in his pocket . `` Poor dear , she suffered everything , and it came very hard upon Sy , for the child was n't happy with any one else , and almost lived in her arms , '' continued Mrs. Dean , dropping the second shawl to get her handkerchief . `` Miss Psyche has not had much time for art-studies this year , I suppose ? '' said Paul , hoping to arrest the shower , natural as it was . `` How could she with two invalids , the housekeeping , her father and the boys to attend to ? No , she gave that up last spring , and though it was a great disappointment to her at the time , she has got over it now , I hope , '' added her mother , remembering as she spoke that Psyche even now went about the house sometimes pale and silent , with a hungry look in her eyes . `` I am glad to hear it , '' though a little shadow passed over his face as Paul spoke , for he was too true an artist to believe that any work could be as happy as that which he loved and lived for . `` I thought there was much promise in Miss Psyche , and I sincerely believe that time will prove me a true prophet , '' he said , with mingled regret and hope in his voice , as he glanced about the room , which betrayed the tastes still cherished by the girl . `` I 'm afraid ambition is n't good for women ; I mean the sort that makes them known by coming before the public in any way . But Sy deserves some reward , I 'm sure , and I know she 'll have it , for a better daughter never lived . '' Here the third shawl was cast off , as if the thought of Psyche , or the presence of a genial guest had touched Mrs. Dean 's chilly nature with a comfortable warmth . Further conversation was interrupted by the avalanche of boys which came tumbling down the front stairs , as Tom , Dick , and Harry shouted in a sort of chorus , -- `` Sy , my balloon has got away ; lend us a hand at catching him ! '' `` Sy , I want a lot of paste made , right off . '' `` Sy , I 've split my jacket down the back ; come sew me up , there 's a dear ! '' On beholding a stranger the young gentlemen suddenly lost their voices , found their manners , and with nods and grins took themselves away as quietly as could be expected of six clumping boots and an unlimited quantity of animal spirits in a high state of effervescence .
As they trooped off , an unmistakable odor of burnt milk pervaded the air , and the crash of china , followed by an Irish wail , caused Mrs. XXXXX to clap on her three shawls again and excuse herself in visible trepidation .
Dean Psyche Sy Tom art-studies effervescence right second third year