He brought the letter down the next morning.
"How queer it is that Charlie stays!" said Dot, toasting some bread. "O Hal! what's the matter?"
"Nothing—only— You'll have to hear it sometime; and maybe it will all end right. Charlie's gone away."
"Gone away!" echoed Granny.
"Yes. She left a letter. I found it last night in the flower-room. Let me read it to you."
Hal cleared his throat. The others stood absolutely awe-stricken.
"Dear Granny and Hal,—You know I always had my heart set on running away; and I'm going to do it now, because, if I told you all my plans, you would say they were quite wild. Perhaps they are. Only I shall try to make them work; and, somehow, I think I can. I have sights of courage and hope. But, O Granny! I couldn't stay in the mill: it was like putting me in prison. I hated the coarse work, the dirt, the noise, and the smells of grease, and everybody there. Some days I felt as if I must scream and scream, until God came and took me out of it. But I wanted to earn some money; and there wasn't any other way in Madison that I should have liked any better. I've had this in my mind ever since I went to work.
"I can't tell you all my plans,—I don't even know them myself,—only I am going to try; and, if I cannot succeed, I shall come back. I have twenty-five dollars that I've saved. And, if I have good luck, you'll hear that too. Please don't worry about me. I shall find friends, and not get into any trouble, I know.
"I am very sorry to leave you all; but then I kissed you good-by,—Hal and Kit this morning, when I said it softly in my heart; and Dot and you, dear Granny, when I went away. I had it all planned so nicely, and you never suspected a word. I shall come back some time, of course. And now you must be happy without me, and just say a tiny bit of prayer every night, as I shall for you, and never fret a word. Somehow I feel as if I were a little like Joe; and you know he is doing beautifully.
"Good-by with a thousand kisses. Don't try to find me; for you can't, I know. I'll write some time again. Your own queer, loving.
"Charlie."
"Well, that's too good!" said Kit, breaking the silence of tears. "Charlie has the spunk—and a girl too!"
"Oh!" sobbed Granny, "she don't know nothing; and she'll get lost, and get into trouble."