`` There is sometimes hope of a man who is actively bad , '' Charlotte Ingelow had said sententiously , `` but who ever heard of reforming a jellyfish ? '' Elizabeth and her husband had gone west and settled on a prairie farm in Manitoba . She had never been home since . Perhaps her pride kept her away , for she had the Ingelow share of that , and she soon discovered that her family 's estimate of James Sheldon had been the true one . There was no active resentment on either side , and once in a long while letters were exchanged . Still , ever since her marriage , Elizabeth had been practically an outsider and an alien . As the years came and went the Ingelows at home remembered only at long intervals that they had a sister on the western prairies . One of these remembrances came to Charlotte Ingelow on a spring afternoon when the great orchards about the Grange were pink and white with apple and cherry blossoms , and over every hill and field was a delicate , flower-starred green . A soft breeze was blowing loose petals from the August Sweeting through the open door of the wide hall when Charlotte came through it . Ellen and George were standing on the steps outside . `` This kind of a day always makes me think of Elizabeth , '' said Charlotte dreamily . `` It was in apple-blossom time she went away . '' The Ingelows always spoke of Elizabeth 's going away , never of her marrying . `` Seventeen years ago , '' said Ellen . `` Why , Elizabeth 's oldest child must be quite a young woman now ! I -- I -- '' a sudden idea swept over and left her a little breathless . `` I would really like to see her . '' `` Then why do n't you write and ask her to come east and visit us ? '' asked George , who did not often speak , but who always spoke to some purpose when he did . Ellen and Charlotte looked at each other .
`` I would like XXXXX see Elizabeth 's child , '' repeated Ellen firmly .
As at for from in of on over since to