157

A JOURNEY AND ITS ENDING.

 

And their mamma had kissed them so many
times, as if she could not really say good-by,
though she was not generally a very petting or
kissing mamma, but rather quiet and grave.

And nurse had the tears in her eyes, and
Louise had them pouring down her face, and
Cecil had fer face squeezed up in a sort of way
that Floss knew meant she was determined she

would not cry. Floss felt troubled in a way she

could not understand, and I think. Carrots did -

too. They had a feeling that the bigger people
knew of more reason for sorrow than had been
told to them, and yet they could not imagine
And, after all, to them the
parting for even four or five months was almost

what it could be.

as great a trouble as they could understand!
only they were going to “auntie’s” !

“And we will try to be so good, dear
mamma,” said Floss, bravely choking down
her tears. “We will try to get on with our
And

@
—and”—here a sob or two would make

lessons too, and write you nice letters.

its way, “I can’t help crying a little; but