sarah worked diligently for a couple of hours setting up cultures to the exacting specifications her demanding training accustomed her to , trying to chase away the thoughts inside her head , thoughts which after a while became a slow flowing river of memories and emotions , sunny days on the farm with her father , her brother 's wedding , the many lovely afternoons in the company of her aunts at the convent , her mother 's never assuaged concern regarding her marital status , her grandfather 's grand gestures and intense curiosity , the light shining in her hair at dawn and setting it on fire , the touch table , so familiar she could almost feel it under her fingers .