Sarah jumped down over the wheel of the spring-wagon.
"Ach, I thank myself."
And she seized the stout lady in a fervent hug, which her aunt as fervently returned.
"And now," said Sarah happily, as she climbed back, "I am not cross over nobody, and nobody is cross over me. Ach, I know I am talking dumb again! But after I get on the cars, I will say everything right."
She could scarcely sit still. Laura and William looked at each other and smiled.
In all her life Sarah had been on the train but once. That was six months ago, when, accompanied by the twins and "Teacher," she had gone to the county-seat to protest against Uncle Daniel's being made their guardian. She was too much worried then to enjoy the roar of the great engine as it rushed upon them, the hurry with which they scrambled aboard, the wild thrill of delight as the train got under way. Now she enjoyed each sensation to the full. There had never been such a wonderful train as this, whose seats were so luxuriously cushioned, which moved so swiftly, which was so filled with interesting persons. Sarah waved her hand to William, she tried to call to him a final message to the twins, and then they were off. Sarah drew a deep breath.
"Ach!" she wailed. "My trunk!"
Laura showed her the check. "Your trunk is on the train, my dear."
"Ach, it is too wonderful!" cried Sarah. "No, I won't say ach any more. Ach, but I am going to try!" She clapped her hand over her mouth and looked up comically. "Ach—I can't express me without ach."
"Yes, you can," Laura assured her. "See the girls opposite us. They're probably going to the Normal School."