I have
come to say goodbye."
The light died out of her face all of a sudden. The delicate beauty of
her gleaming eyes and quivering mouth had vanished. She was once more
the pale, wan little child he had seen coming slowly up the garden
path at Tredowen.
"You are going--so soon!" she murmured.
He took her hand and led her away over the short green turf of the
common.
"We only came for a few hours," he told her. "But I have good news for
you, Juliet, unless you know already. Mr. Saunders has found out some
of your friends. They are going to look after you properly, and you
will not be alone any more."
"What time are you going?" she asked.
"Silly child," he answered, giving her hand a shake. "Listen to what I
am telling you. You are going to have friends to look after you
always. Aren't you glad?"
"No, I am not glad," she answered passionately. "I don't want to go
away. I am--lonely."
Her arms suddenly sought his neck, and her face was buried on his
shoulder. He soothed her as well as he could.
"I must go, little girl," he said, "for I am off to America almost at
once. As soon as I can after I come back, I will come and see you."
"You have only been here one day," she sobbed.
"I would stay if I could, dear," Aynesworth answered. "Come, dry those
eyes and be a brave girl. Think how nice it will be to go and live
with people who will take care of you properly, and be fond of you.
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