“Yes, I feel that we will be good friends—the Tompkins and us.”
Natalie had informed her schoolmates that she was to go on the nine o’clock local in the morning, and so wished them all good-by that night.
“It isn’t really ‘good-by,’ Nat, because we will all see you again so soon,” giggled Norma.
Belle sent Norma a warning glance and explained hastily: “Yes, it is only a few weeks before we will be up on the farm with you.”
“Try to fix it, girls, so you can all join me on the farm as soon as school closes,” said Natalie.
“That will be fine!” declared a chorus of voices.
So repeated good-bys were said and Natalie wondered why the girls thought it all so funny! The next morning as Mrs. James and Natalie stood in line at Grand Central Station to buy their tickets, four laughing girls pounced upon Natalie, and as many girlish voices said: “Didn’t you suspect? How could you believe we would let you go away without sending you off in a royal manner?”
Natalie laughed joyously. “But it isn’t to the North Pole, girls! And it is only a few weeks before you will be there.”
“Never mind! If it is only for a few days, we would see that the railroad company was duly impressed with your importance because of your friends who escort you to the train,” laughed Janet.
Mrs. James had purchased the tickets by this time, and they all started to find Rachel, who was waiting with the baggage. Then they hunted up the particular gate that gave way to the platform of the train they wanted, and passed through in a grand procession.