But after all they were gay good-byes. Helen Adams, to be sure, almost broke down When she kissed Betty and whispered, “Good-bye and thank you for everything.” But the next minute they were both laughing at K.’s ridiculous old telescope bag.
“It’s a long rest and a good meal of oats the poor beastie shall have at the end of this trip,” said Katherine. “Ladies, behold the preceptress of the Kankakee Academy. Father telegraphed me yesterday that I’ve got the place, and I hereby solemnly promise to buy a respectable suit-case out of my first month’s salary.”
“Oh, you haven’t any of you gone yet, have you?” asked Babbie Hildreth, hurrying up with Eleanor and Madeline. “You see Babe kept more things than she thought and it was too late to send for another packing-box, so she put them into a suit-case and a kit bag and a hat-box. And the carriage didn’t come for us, so she tried to carry them all from the car, and of course she got stuck in the turn-stile. The girls are getting her out as fast as they can. They sent us on ahead to find you.”
Just as Helen’s train pulled in Bob appeared with the rest of the “Merry Hearts” as escort and a small boy to help with her luggage; and they had a minute all together.
“Well,” said Madeline lightly, “we’re starting out into the wide, wide world at last. I’ll say it because I’m used to starting off to queer places and I rather like it.”
“Here’s hoping it’s a jolly world for every one of us,” said Rachel.
“Here’s to our next meeting,” added Katherine.
“Girls,” said Betty solemnly, “I feel it in my bones that we are going to be together again some time. I don’t mean just for a 19— reunion, but for a good long time.”
“With me teaching in Boston,” laughed Rachel.
“And me teaching in Kankakee,” put in Katherine proudly.