Five Happy Weeks

American Tract Society , 150 NASSAU STREET, NEW YORK.
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1875, by THE AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.
I don't see how I can do such a thing, said mamma, shading her eyes with a hand so white and thin that you could almost see through it. I never, never can go away, for five weeks, and leave these children; I should not have a moment's peace.
You are going too, William; you seem to forget that. And we have never been away from them before. What if Edith or Mabel should be sick, or Johnnie should fall and break his arm, or—
Don't conjure up dreadful possibilities, Helen, said papa; I'll tell you how we will manage it. This house shall be shut, and we'll take grandma and the children with us as far as Norfolk, and leave them there with your Aunt Maria, while we make our trip. And we will stop for them on our way home. What do you think of that plan?
Well, said mamma, with a faint smile, I think I'll leave it to you. It tires me to have to reason things out. Auntie would be kind to them, I know, and I should feel easier if this house were shut up altogether.
Mrs. Evans had been ailing all the long cold winter, and as Spring began to approach, she drooped more and more, until her husband and her friends feared she would die. Then Dr. Phelps advised a short journey to Florida and Mexico. He said she needed sea-air, and change, and flowers. So it was settled that she should attempt it.
I ought to, I'm the oldest, said Johnnie. I'm the biggest and the strongest, and I will take it in to mamma myself.
The bigger and the stronger ought to yield to the smaller and the weaker, said a sweet voice. The children looked round, and saw a little lady whom they all liked. She was Miss Simms, the dressmaker. Her face was as round as an apple, she had two bright black eyes, and when she laughed the dimples seemed to chase each other over her cheeks.