A SEPARATION. 203

upon the needle-book. “There, now, I am
spoiling your beautiful purple color,” she con-
tinued, brushing off the tear.

Tom—No, you are not; my colors will
stand salt water. I am afraid you will be very
lonely next winter.

Bessie.—I shall be lonely ; but, then; I shall
have so much to do, that I shall not have time
to think of it. You know father gets so much
higher wages since you have taught him about
dyeing, that he can spare more of my time.
Molly is coming two or three days in the week,
instead of one. I am to go through a course
of reading under Mr. Starr’s direction. I
shall be at the district school for the last time,
and shall study hard. Then I shall write very
frequently to you, and sometimes I shall amuse
myself with drawing, for which Mr. Starr says
I have a decided taste. You must write to me
as often as you can, Tom, and tell me all about
the great city, and how you get along.

Tom.—That I shall, Bessie dear; it will be
one of my greatest pleasures. There now, I
have packed my box so that it would go safely
to Nova Zembla.