he said slowly . `` And you have not changed at all . '' She coloured slightly and pulled away her hands , laughing . `` Oh , indeed I have . I have grown old . The twilight is so kind it hides that , but it is true . Come into the house , Cuthbert . Father and Mother will be glad to see you . '' `` After a little , '' he said imploringly . `` Let us stay here awhile first , Joyce . I want to make sure that this is no dream . Last night I stood on those hills yonder and looked down , but I meant to go away because I thought there would be no one left to welcome me . If I had known you were here ! You have lived here in the old valley all these years ? '' `` All these years , '' she said gently , `` I suppose you think it must have been a very meagre life ? '' `` No . I am much wiser now than I was once , Joyce . I have learned wisdom beyond the hills . One learns there -- in time -- but sometimes the lesson is learned too late . Shall I tell you what I have learned , Joyce ?
The gist of the lesson is that I XXXXX happiness behind me in the old valley , when I went away from it , happiness and peace and the joy of living .
Cuthbert Father Joyce Mother first hands house left twilight years