"From Hemlock Valley!" said she, as she tore open the envelope. "I wonder what has made mother write so soon again?"
"You will see when you read it."
Marion hurried through her letter, and then burst out—
"Oh, how splendid! How delightful! Just think, Therese Mr. Van Alstine has an excellent teacher for his children and those of his partner Mr. Overbeck, and he wants me to come and be educated with them. He says the lady is very accomplished, and I shall have every advantage, and by and by perhaps he will send me to boarding-school. Isn't that lovely, and coming just now, too? When shall I go, Aunt Baby?"
But Aunt Baby had left the room, and it was Aunt Christian who answered rather gravely:
"You are in a great hurry, Marion. It is not decided that you are to go at all yet. Mr. and Mrs. Van Alstine refer the matter entirely to your aunt and your grandfather. Nothing has been decided yet."
"Oh, but of course it will be settled so. It must be!" exclaimed Marion. "Mother has a right to me if she wants me!"
"Some people might think Aunt Baby had some rights in the case, seeing she has taken care of you almost ever since you were born," said Mrs. Campbell.
"I don't think Aunt Baby ought to put herself in the way when the change is so much for my advantage," said Marion. "She ought to consider me and not herself altogether, I think."
"If she does consider herself, it will be the first time I have ever known her to do such a thing," said Mrs. Campbell, considerably provoked. "I think you had better go by all means, Marion, and perhaps you may find that every change is not an improvement."