“‘Do you know where I am going to, Lannie?’
“‘I only know that you are going away to school; the rich old man is to select the place and you are to be sent there, and⸺’
“Lannie turned to the window without finishing the sentence. Presently he resumed his speech again by asking if I was glad. I did not know what the change in Lannie’s voice meant then, but I could not fail to notice it.
“‘Yes, I want to go and learn to be a lady, but—I—don’t like to go away and leave mamma and⸺’
“‘And who, Ailene?’
“‘You, Lannie. I will be lonely with a whole lot of dressed up children and mean old teachers around.’
“Before I had closed my sentence Lannie had drawn me to him and was kissing me fondly.
“‘Oh, little girl, you don’t know how much Lannie will miss you, and to think I won’t see you any more.’
“‘Why, Lannie, why do you say that? I won’t stay always.’
“‘No, but you see, little one, the rich man wants you for his own; he is only waiting for you to be educated and grow into full womanhood. Then you are to be his.’