“Oh, Dave, I––I––ca––can’t help it,” she murmured. “I––I––think so––so––much of––of––you!” and then, for the moment, she hid her face on his shoulder.
Mr. Porter had a few words of advice to give, and he had hardly finished when the train rolled into the station. Then Dave shook hands with his father, and kissed each of the girls, and climbed on board.
“Good-bye, my son!” called Mr. Porter.
“Good-bye, Dad! Take care of yourself while I’m gone,” he shouted back. “Good-bye, Laura! Good-bye, Jessie!”
“Good-bye, Dave!” returned the sister, waving her hand.
Jessie tried to speak but could not, and so she too waved a farewell.
Then the train rolled from the Crumville station, slowly gathering speed, and finally disappearing in the distance.
At last our hero was off to become a full-fledged civil engineer.