When darkness came down through the firs he told her all this , haltingly , blunderingly , yearningly . `` Joyce , is it too late ? Can you forgive my mistake , my long blindness ? Can you care for me again -- a little ? '' She turned her face upward to the sky between the swaying fir tops and he saw the reflection of a star in her eyes . `` I have never ceased to care , '' she said in a low tone . `` I never really wanted to cease . It would have left life too empty . If my love means so much to you it is yours , Cuthbert -- it always has been yours . '' He drew her close into his arms , and as he felt her heart beating against his he understood that he had found the way back to simple happiness and true wisdom , the wisdom of loving and the happiness of being loved . Jane Lavinia Jane Lavinia put her precious portfolio down on the table in her room , carefully , as if its contents were fine gold , and proceeded to unpin and take off her second-best hat . When she had gone over to the Whittaker place that afternoon , she had wanted to wear her best hat , but Aunt Rebecca had vetoed that uncompromisingly . `` Next thing you 'll be wanting to wear your best muslin to go for the cows , '' said Aunt Rebecca sarcastically . `` You go right back upstairs and take off that chiffon hat . If I was fool enough to be coaxed into buying it for you , I ai n't going to have you spoil it by traipsing hither and yon with it in the dust and sun . Your last summer 's sailor is plenty good enough to go to the Whittakers ' in , Jane Lavinia . '' `` But Mr. Stephens and his wife are from New York , '' pleaded Jane Lavinia , `` and she 's so stylish . '' `` Well , it 's likely they 're used to seeing chiffon hats , '' Aunt Rebecca responded , more sarcastically than ever . `` It is n't probable that yours would make much of a sensation . Mr. Stephens did n't send for you to show him your chiffon hat , did he ?
If he did , I do n't see what you 're lugging XXXXX big portfolio along with you for .
against as by in into of on than that through