from the sequel to "Not Ordinarily Borrowable"

The way to the market lay across the river, which was frozen solid. Children who did not specially want anything to happen were happily skating, and the ice obligingly did not break for them. Beside the river was Midsummer Common, where in warmer weather you could often find cows. But at this time of year, the cows were gratefully eating hay in their warm byres. Maria thought of them with envy.