“My letter was from Campbell,” said Hilary. “The college news in it is about covered by the news in this of Bob’s. Shall I let Lilian read Bob’s letter?” Lilian had just come out to join them, after reading Philip’s letter once more all by herself!
“Oh, this is a lovely letter. Phil’s news was about the same, but he had heard from my brother and was rejoicing, very kindly, about the North decision to go to New York.”
“Really, Lilian?” asked Cathalina, in delight.
“Yes, I just read more about it in Mother’s letter. I can’t believe it! But Mother says that Father has actually decided to leave the old town. It is largely on Dick’s account. Father and Dick will go into the firm with Father’s old friend. That means an established law business, of course.”
“When will they go?”
“Mother says that Father wants to hurry it up now, after waiting so many years, and she has no peace about taking their time to go over everything from attic to cellar, as she wants to do. Father says ‘make a clearance,’ and she has already begun on the attic, where there is everything stored, from Dick’s cradle and my high chair to stacks of all the magazines from the year One.”
The girls were listening with great interest, Cathalina especially delighted at the thought of having Lilian in New York. “Think of it, Lil! You can have all kinds of music lessons and hear the things you like and we can be together so much. I wish you were coming to New York, too, Hilary.”
But Hilary was not feeling left out. She always rejoiced in the good fortune of others. Besides, wasn’t Campbell in Cathalina’s family? This last letter of a young man who was at least a very firm friend. “No telling,” said she. “Remember that I’m the daughter of a minister, and there isn’t any telling where we may go!”
“What else did your mother say?” asked Cathalina of Lilian.
“Not much more about New York, only that she hoped they could find comfortable quarters without much trouble. Poor Mother! I ought to be home to help look over things with her. But she will hire plenty of help for the hard work. She says that Father wants to be settled in New York by Christmas. I don’t know what to think of that. I’m crazy to go to live there, but I didn’t expect not to be able to say goodbye to the folks in the old town.”