still in
authority; would crane her skinny neck to see who it was。
〃Oh; it's you; is it?〃 she said。 〃I thought we should be
seein' you。 My word; that's a bobby…dazzlin' posy you've
brought!〃
It was curious how Tilly preserved the spirit of Tom
Brangwen; who was dead; in the Marsh。 Ursula always connected
her with her grandfather。
This day the child had brought a tight little nosegay of
pinks; white ones; with a rim of pink ones。 She was very proud
of it; and very shy because of her pride。
〃Your gran'mother's in her bed。 Wipe your shoes well if
you're goin' up; and don't go burstin' in on her like a
skyrocket。 My word; but that's a fine posy! Did you do it all by
yourself; an' all?〃
Tilly stealthily ushered her into the bedroom。 The child
entered with a strange; dragging hesitation characteristic of
her when she was moved。 Her grandmother was sitting up in bed;
wearing a little grey woollen jacket。
The child hesitated in silence near the bed; clutching the
nosegay in front of her。 Her childish eyes were shining。 The
grandmother's grey eyes shone with a similar light。
〃How pretty!〃 she said。 〃How pretty you have made them! What
a darling little bunch。〃
Ursula; glowing; thrust them into her grandmother's hand;
saying; 〃I made them you。〃
〃That is how the peasants tied them at home;〃 said the
grandmother; pushing the pinks with her fingers; and smelling
them。 〃Just such tight little bunches! And they make wreaths for
their hair……they weave the stalks。 Then they go round with
wreaths in their hair; and wearing their best aprons。〃
Ursula immediately imagined hers