As Alice went into the dining-room with a very wistful look in her deep-brown eyes, Mr. Winter said, "Well, dear, we have decided to take you with us, and as it is now Wednesday, and we sail Saturday from New York on the 'Etruria,' you will be very busy getting ready, and you must help your mamma all you can."
Alice threw her arms around Mr. Winter's neck, crying with joy, saying at the same time, "Oh, you dear, darling papa, how kind and good you are, and how I do love you!"
After kissing him again and again, she went to her mamma and nearly smothered her with kisses.
Mr. Winter had never been abroad, though he had large business interests there, which had been attended to by a clerk in whom he had the utmost confidence. This clerk had been taken very suddenly and dangerously ill, Mr. Winter had no one else he could send, and found he must go himself and at once.
He telegraphed to the Cunard office for state-rooms, and went home to tell his wife, hardly thinking she would go with him at such short notice, or leave Alice.
Mrs. Winter was not willing he should go without her, and soon decided not only to go, but to take Alice with them.
Alice could hardly eat any dinner, she was so happy and full of excitement.
The next morning Alice went to school to get her books and tell the wonderful news to her teacher and school-mates.
They were nearly as interested as she, for it was quite an event for any one to go to Europe from that quiet village.
It was decided then and there that all would be at the station to see her off on Friday.