"Three months will soon pass," Tom whispered to his little sister, meaning to be consolatory.
"It's ages and ages!" she answered, looking very doleful indeed.
Then the train by which she and her mother were to travel ran into the station. Mr. Burford found corner seats in a third-class compartment for them, and the time had come for good-byes to be exchanged. Nellie had determined beforehand that she would be brave and not cry, and she succeeded in saying "Good-bye!" to both her father and brother and kissing them without breaking down; but when, after her father had settled her and her mother comfortably for the journey, Tom came to the carriage window, saying, "You haven't said good-bye to Tim, Nellie!" and lifted up the little dog for her to caress, her courage suddenly gave way, and her tears began to flow. "Take care of him, Tom," she whispered with a sob, as she leaned out of the carriage window and kissed Tim, too; "and, oh, I do hope he won't forget me! I don't know what I shall feel if he doesn't remember me when I come back!" Then the guard blew his whistle, and Nellie hastily drew in her head. The train moved slowly out of the station, and a minute later was gone.
"Come, Tom!" said Mr. Burford, touching his son on the arm.
With the dog still in his arms, Tom followed his father out of the station. In the street he set Tim down. "I was afraid if I let him go before he might run after the train," he explained. "Oh, Father, won't it be strange without Nellie?" he sighed.
"Very strange," Mr. Burford agreed. "Poor little maid, her greatest trial will be when she comes to say 'Good-bye' to her mother to-morrow; she is so unaccustomed to strangers. Are you going to come with me as far as the bank?"
"Oh, yes, Father!"
"And what will you do afterwards?"
"I thought perhaps I'd walk as far as Halcyon Villa, and ask Miss Perry to allow Peter to go somewhere with me this afternoon—fishing perhaps."
"I hope you'll not wear out your welcome at Halcyon Villa, Tom!"