He turned and went down through the orchard lane , taking the old field-path across the valley and up the hill , which he had traversed so often and so joyfully in boyhood . It was dark now , and a few stars were shining in the silvery sky . The wind sighed among the pines as he walked under them . Sometimes he felt that he must turn back -- that his pain was going to master him ; then he forced himself to go on . The old grey house where Sara lived seemed bleak and stricken in the dull light , with its leafless vines clinging to it . There were no lights in it . It looked like a home left soulless . Jeffrey went around to the garden door and knocked . He had expected the maid to open it , put Sara herself came . `` Why , Jeff , '' she said , with pleasure in her tones . `` I am so glad to see you . I have been wondering why you had not come before . '' `` I did not think you would want to see me yet , '' he said hurriedly . `` I have thought about you every hour -- but I feared to intrude . '' '' You could n't intrude , '' she said gently . `` Yes , I have wanted to see you , Jeff . Come into the library . '' He followed her into the room where they had always sat in his rare calls . Sara lighted the lamp on the table . As the light shot up she stood clearly revealed in it -- a tall , slender woman in a trailing gown of grey .
Even a stranger , not knowing her age , would have guessed it to be what it was , yet it would have been hard to say what gave the impression XXXXX maturity .
As about in into of on that to under up