A SURPRISING ANNOUNCEMENT `` Nothing exciting has happened for ever so long , '' said the Story Girl discontentedly , one late May evening , as we lingered under the wonderful white bloom of the cherry trees . There was a long row of them in the orchard , with a Lombardy poplar at either end , and a hedge of lilacs behind . When the wind blew over them all the spicy breezes of Ceylon 's isle were never sweeter . It was a time of wonder and marvel , of the soft touch of silver rain on greening fields , of the incredible delicacy of young leaves , of blossom in field and garden and wood . The whole world bloomed in a flush and tremor of maiden loveliness , instinct with all the evasive , fleeting charm of spring and girlhood and young morning . We felt and enjoyed it all without understanding or analyzing it . It was enough to be glad and young with spring on the golden road . `` I do n't like excitement very much , '' said Cecily . `` It makes one so tired . I 'm sure it was exciting enough when Paddy was missing , but we did n't find that very pleasant . '' `` No , but it was interesting , '' returned the Story Girl thoughtfully . `` After all , I believe I 'd rather be miserable than dull . '' `` I would n't then , '' said Felicity decidedly . `` And you need never be dull when you have work to do . ` Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do ! ' '' `` Well , mischief is interesting , '' laughed the Story Girl . `` And I thought you did n't think it lady-like to speak of that person , Felicity ? '' `` It 's all right if you call him by his polite name , '' said Felicity stiffly . `` Why does the Lombardy poplar hold its branches straight up in the air like that , when all the other poplars hold theirs out or hang them down ? '' interjected Peter , who had been gazing intently at the slender spire showing darkly against the fine blue eastern sky .
`` Because it grows that way , '' said XXXXX .
Cecily Ceylon Felicity Lombardy Paddy Peter evening morning poplars right