The delicious moments of Mabel’s life were reading contentedly in bed, or being down by the sea in the sun and sand at Easter, listening to the melody of the waves and the happy shouts of the children paddling in the water. Also, sometimes she had these moments with Hubert, when he was carving the mutton for Sunday lunch, opening a letter, or coming into the room. On the other hand, sometimes, when everything was arranged – music, weather, holidays – and there was every reason for happiness, it turned suddenly flat.