"Indeed I have! You have been so very kind to me!"
"Oh, that's nothing! I like to have someone to talk to. Well," as the train slowed into the station, "here we are at last!"
He assisted Marigold to alight. The little girl's heart beat fast as she looked around, to see if her aunts had come to meet her. In a few minutes a tall woman, neatly attired in black, came to her side, and touched her lightly on the shoulder.
"Are you Miss Marigold Holcroft?" the stranger asked.
"Yes. You—you are not my aunt?" Marigold answered doubtfully.
"Certainly not!" was the quick reply, spoken in rather sharp tones. "I am your aunts' maid, and they have sent me to meet you. What luggage have you brought?"
"Only one, box."
"Well, little missy, seeing you're in safe keeping, I'll say good-bye," Farmer Jo put in at this point.
"Good-bye!" Marigold answered, as she clasped his great hand between her two small palms, feeling as though she was parting from a real friend. "Good-bye! When I write to mother I shall tell her what good care you took of me, and how very, very kind you have been!"
"No matter! no matter!" he responded hastily. "I am glad we happened to meet, though!"