I've seen her since the winter

'He finds Mr. Chadbourne so nice to work with, and we hope to spendChristmas together, but I should not like to move Betty and Alfredany great distance (no, quite right), though it is difficultto imagine cold weather in this heat. . . . Eleanor and Rogerdrove over in the new trap. . . . Eleanor certainly looked morelike herself than I've seen her since the winter. She has put Babyon three bottles now, which I'm sure is wise (I'm sure it is too),and so gets better nights. . . . My hair still falls out. I find iton the pillow! But I am cheered by hearing from Tottie Hall Green. 　　. . . Muriel is in Torquay enjoying herself greatly at dances. 　　She _is_ going to show her black put after all.' . . . A linefrom Herbert--so busy, poor fellow! Ah! Margaret says, 'Poor oldMrs. Fairbank died on the eighth, quite suddenly in the conservatory,only a maid in the house, who hadn't the presence of mind to lifther up, which they think might have saved her, but the doctor saysit might have come at any moment, and one can only feel thankfulthat it was in the house and not in the street (I should think so!). 　　The pigeons have increased terribly, just as the rabbits did fiveyears ago . . .'" While she read her husband kept nodding his headvery slightly, but very steadily in sign of approval. 　　Near by, Miss Allan was reading her letters too. They were notaltogether pleasant, as could be seen from the slight rigiditywhich came over her large fine face as she finished reading themand replaced them neatly in their envelopes. The lines of careand responsibility on her face made her resemble an elderly manrather than a woman. The letters brought her news of the failureof last year's fruit crop in New Zealand, which was a serious matter,for Hubert, her only brother, made his living on a fruit farm,and if it failed again, of course, he would throw up his place,come back to England, and what were they to do with him this time? 　　The journey out here, which meant the loss of a term's work,became an extravagance and not the just and wonderful holiday dueto her after fifteen years of punctual lecturing and correctingessays upon English literature. Emily, her sister, who was ateacher also, wrote: "We ought to be prepared, though I have nodoubt Hubert will be more reasonable this time." And then wenton in her sensible way to say that she was enjoying a very jollytime in the Lakes. "They are looking exceedingly pretty just now. 　　I have seldom seen the trees so forward at this time of year.