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A JOURNEY AND ITS ENDING. 173

“Yes,” said Floss wearily; “very far. We
thought auntie would meet us at the station,
but there wasn’t anybody.” .

“They must be kin to the housekeeper,
surely,” thought the woman. And yet some-
thing indescribable in Floss’s manner, and in
the clear, well-bred tones of her small, childish
voice, prevented her asking if this was so.
“T wish I could go with you to the house,” she
repeated, curiosity and kindliness alike prompt-
ing her; “ but,” she added, looking doubtfully at
the sleeping child in her arms, “I’m afeared for
baby.”

«Oh, it doesn’t matter, thank you,” said
Floss; “we can find the way, I dare say.
Good-evening;" and, taking Carrots by the
hand, she turned to go.

“ Good-evening,” said little Carrots also.

“ Good-evening, and I hope you'll find your
auntie in,” said the woman. And for a few
minutes she stood at the door straining her

eyes after the two forlorn little figures, till she

could distinguish them no longer in the dark-