86 The Story of the Hamiltons.

 Nearer and nearer drew the time of de-
parture. In a week they were to go! A
week? Only three days!--two days! And
now the last night had come-the last night
they should sleep together in that dear old
room till Christmas! It was Sunday night.
The next morning they were to be off rather
before the usual hour on account of their
luggage, and then no more home life for
fourteen weeks! As they laid down to rest
there was a flickering bit of fire in the grate,
which served every now and then to show them
more plainly the desolateness of the room ; the
open boxes stood ready packed, only waiting
a last touch or so to be finished. All the little
prettinesses were gone; those which they did
not want at school were carefully put away
till their return; and the place had the for-
lorn look which an evening before a journey
is sure to produce.
 "Don't you wish, Grace, Miss Campbell
went to our church ?" at length observed
Edith.
 I thought you were asleep," returned her
sister; "but I was just wishing the same
thing! How odd, wasn't it ? We should
be able to see papa and mamma then; and
I am sure I shan't like St. Edmund's half