When we had finished we
stood in a circle around the well and pledged "eternal friendship"
in a cup of its unrivalled water.
Then we joined hands and sang "Auld Lang Syne." Sara Ray cried
bitterly in lieu of singing.
"Look here," said the Story Girl, as we turned to leave the old
orchard, "I want to ask a favour of you all. Don't say good-bye
to me tomorrow morning."
"Why not?" demanded Felicity in astonishment.
"Because it's such a hopeless sort of word. Don't let's SAY it at
all. Just see me off with a wave of your hands. It won't seem
half so bad then. And don't any of you cry if you can help it. I
want to remember you all smiling."
We went out of the old orchard where the autumn night wind was
beginning to make its weird music in the russet boughs, and shut
the little gate behind us. Our revels there were ended.
CHAPTER XXXIII
THE STORY GIRL GOES
The morning dawned, rosy and clear and frosty. Everybody was up
early, for the travellers must leave in time to catch the nine
o'clock train. The horse was harnessed and Uncle Alec was waiting
by the door. Aunt Janet was crying, but everybody else was making
a valiant effort not to. The Awkward Man and Mrs. Dale came to
see the last of their favourite. Mrs.
Pages:
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326