CHAPTERIII
Itwassuchacharminghome！——mynewone;afinegreathouse，withpictures，anddelicatedecorations，andrichfurniture，andnogloomanywhere，butallthewildernessofdaintycolorslitupwithfloodingsunshine;andthespaciousgroundsaroundit，andthegreatgarden——oh，greensward，andnobletrees，andflowers，noend！AndIwasthesameasamemberofthefamily;andtheylovedme，andpettedme，anddidnotgivemeanewname，butcalledmebymyoldonethatwasdeartomebecausemymotherhadgivenitme——AileenMavourneen.Shegotitoutofasong;andtheGraysknewthatsong，andsaiditwasabeautifulname.
Mrs.Graywasthirty，andsosweetandsolovely，youcannotimagineit;
andSadiewasten，andjustlikehermother，justadarlingslenderlittlecopyofher，withauburntailsdownherback，andshortfrocks;
andthebabywasayearold，andplumpanddimpled，andfondofme，andnevercouldgetenoughofhaulingonmytail，andhuggingme，andlaughingoutitsinnocenthappiness;andMr.Graywasthirty—eight，andtallandslenderandhandsome，alittlebaldinfront，alert，quickinhismovements，business—like，prompt，decided，unsentimental，andwiththatkindoftrim—chiseledfacethatjustseemstoglintandsparklewithfrostyintellectuality！Hewasarenownedscientist.Idonotknowwhatthewordmeans，butmymotherwouldknowhowtouseitandgeteffects.