comfortable with the idea of marrying David, until Hilary returns for a brief visit to Silver Bush. After Hilary leaves, David breaks the engagement and states (to Pat's protestations) that Hilary Gordon, who has been away studying architecture for ten years, is the reason he will never have Pat's affections. The Gardiner family is disappointed but unsurprised, having long ago assigned Pat to old-maidenhood. Mrs. Gardiner's health begins to improve after many years, but Judy Plum's age begins to catch up with her. After sneaking out to milk the cows one night, Judy has a heart attack and is found unconscious the next day. One month later, Judy Plum dies, and Pat feels more alone than ever. When Silver Bush ultimately burns down due to May's negligence, Pat must resign herself to living elsewhere. May is delighted to have a new house built on the ashes of Silver Bush and makes no secret of it. The Gardiner family slowly resumes life at the Bay Shore, property inherited from Mrs. Gardiner's elderly aunt, but Pat is a shell of her former self. One night, as Pat is looking over the burned remains of Silver Bush, Hilary finally returns to the Island to claim Pat with a kiss. He reveals that Judy wrote to him of Pat's broken engagement on her deathbed and advised him to try again. Hilary, now the triumphant lover, tells Pat about the house he has built for her in Vancouver, BC. The book's United States copyright was renewed in 1963. Characters Patricia (Pat) Gardiner: The heroine of the novel. Loyal and loving, and overly sensitive to any perceived slight to her home. She believes nothing can ever take her away from Silver Bush and that love is something she is not suited for. Sid Gardiner: Pat's older brother, who marries Pat's hated childhood acquaintance May Binnie, to the consternation of his family. Rachel Gardiner (called "Cuddles" and later "Rae"): Pat's youngest sister, who attends Queen's Academy to get a teacher's licence, and continues to share Pat's room at Silver Bush until her marriage to Brook Hamilton. She and Pat are very close. May Binnie: A local girl who Pat has never liked, but who marries Sid and moves into Silver Bush. Long Alec Gardiner: The father of all the Gardiner children. Mrs. Gardiner: The mother of all the Gardiner children. Her health steadily improves after an operation