Ah, how limp Ned felt, at going. Chicago could not hold a candle, he was sure, to Beaufort—even South Beaufort, where lurked Big Mike and Big Mike’s “gang.”
Hal and Tom and Zu-zu were at the station to see him off. Hal brought as a parting gift a knife with six blades (better than even the knife which had been lost among the Indian mounds), Tom a flaming red silk handkerchief (a thing of beauty), and Zu-zu six No. 8 shot (once they had been in Ned’s shoulder) set in a watch-charm!
“You’ve all got to come and see me as quick as we’re fixed; don’t you forget!” reminded Ned.
“We will—and you’ve got to come and see us, too!” they reminded, back.
Ned was hoping that something might be wrong with the engine, so that the train could not start. But alas!
“All abo-o-oard!” sang the conductor, watch in hand.
“Clang, clang! Clang, clang!” warned the bell. “Choo! Choo! Choo!” warned the exhaust. The train began to move.
“Good-bye!” called the friends—Mr. and Mrs. Miller’s friends, as well as Ned’s, were on the platform—waving.
“Good-bye!” called Ned, through the window, waving in answer. “Good-bye, Hal! Good-bye, Tom! Good-bye, Zu-zu!”