So, that was all she got by being dignified, to be called stiff and awkward! At dinner she went to the other extreme, and talked so much and so loudly that Christian was obliged to check her. The check was very gentle, but it sent Marion into a state of offended silence for the rest of the evening, and a fit of crying when she went to bed.
The next morning Doctor Campbell found an acquaintance in a Philadelphia gentleman, who was going for a part of the way by the same road as Marion, and put her under his care. Before breakfast, Aunt Christian entered Marion's room, carrying a very pretty leather travelling-bag, and a writing-case which Marion had admired the day before.
"I have brought you a little keepsake from uncle and myself," said she; "see, can you put this in your trunk."
"Oh, Aunt Christian, how very pretty!" exclaimed Marion. "And what a beautiful travelling-bag! Just exactly what I wanted. But what shall I do with the old one? I don't see how I can carry them both; I believe I will leave it."
"By no means; you will find it very convenient if you want to go away for a night."
"But what will people think to see me with two travelling-bags?"
"Why, they will think you have two travelling-bags; what should they think? Or who do you suppose will trouble themselves about the matter? But if you are distressed about it, I will take possession of the old bag myself. I am by far too old a traveller to be troubled by any kind or amount of baggage. Dear me! When you have gone on a journey or two with your own tents, portable cooking apparatus, bedsteads, and all other conceivable furniture following you on the back of two or three mules, and convoyed by a half a dozen rather more than half naked muleteers, you will trouble yourself very little about an extra parcel or two.
"So let me have the bag if you are afraid of it. I dare say I shall find a use for it; but I advise you instead to keep it, and I will have a nice lunch put up for you. Come now, it is time you were ready for breakfast. Good-bye, Marion. Tell your father and mother we shall come and make them a visit as soon as we get back from the West. And, Marie dear, let me whisper one last word in your ear. Try not to think of yourself and your own dignity; forget yourself in other people, and don't be always looking out for Marion McGregor, and you will do very well."
The Philadelphia gentleman proved to be a pleasant elderly clergyman, who found Marion a seat on the right side of the car, gave her a new magazine to amuse herself with, and then betook himself to his newspaper. The day wore away very agreeably. Mr. Randall was a pleasant, cultivated man, very polite, and treated Marion with the sort of half-gallant half-paternal kindness which elderly gentlemen are apt to assume towards young girls. He talked enough to keep Marion from feeling lonely and embarrassed, pointed out objects of interest along the road, told her odd and interesting anecdotes of his travels in Europe and the East, and when lunch-time came presented her with an orange and two bananas, which latter fruit Marion had never before tasted.
Marion asked him to share the delicate lunch which Aunt Christian's care had provided.