We enjoyed our walk -- even Felix enjoyed it , although he had been appointed to write up the visit for Our Magazine and was rather weighed down by the responsibility of it . What mattered it though the world were gray and wintry ? We walked the golden road and carried spring time in our hearts , and we beguiled our way with laughter and jest , and the tales the Story Girl told us -- myths and legends of elder time . The walking was good , for there had lately been a thaw and everything was frozen . We went over fields , crossed by spidery trails of gray fences , where the withered grasses stuck forlornly up through the snow ; we lingered for a time in a group of hill pines , great , majestic tree-creatures , friends of evening stars ; and finally struck into the belt of fir and maple which intervened between Carlisle and Baywater . It was in this locality that Peg Bowen lived , and our way lay near her house though not directly in sight of it . We hoped we would not meet her , for since the affair of the bewitchment of Paddy we did not know quite what to think of Peg ; the boldest of us held his breath as we passed her haunts , and drew it again with a sigh of relief when they were safely left behind . The woods were full of the brooding stillness that often precedes a storm , and the wind crept along their white , cone-sprinkled floors with a low , wailing cry . Around us were solitudes of snow , arcades picked out in pearl and silver , long avenues of untrodden marble whence sprang the cathedral columns of the firs . We were all sorry when we were through the woods and found ourselves looking down into the snug , commonplace , farmstead-dotted settlement of Baywater . `` There 's Cousin Mattie 's house -- that big white one at the turn of the road , '' said the Story Girl . `` I hope she has that dinner ready , Dan . I 'm hungry as a wolf after our walk . '' `` I wish Cousin Mattie 's husband was still alive , '' said Dan . `` He was an awful nice old man . He always had his pockets full of nuts and apples . I used to like going there better when he was alive . Too many old women do n't suit me . '' `` Oh , Dan , Cousin Mattie and her sisters-in-law are just as nice and kind as they can be , '' reproached Cecily . `` Oh , they 're kind enough , but they never seem to see that a fellow gets over being five years old if he only lives long enough , '' retorted Dan .
`` I know a story about Cousin XXXXX 's husband , '' said the Story Girl .
Baywater Bowen Carlisle Cecily Felix Mattie firs left old tree-creatures