"It has not changed much, and some accident might happen to you, and then what would you do? Surely your Uncle Job or Mr. Fox will go with you, or if not, papa will be glad to, I know," the sweet child insisted.
Matters being thus arranged, we took leave of Mr. and Mrs. Hayward, and this on my part with a sad heart. For in the years I had made my home with them they had been very tender and kind to me, and because of it I had grown to love them, more, indeed, than I thought till the hour of parting came.
When we reached Appletop we stopped at Uncle Job's on our way to the Dragon. Tears filled his eyes as he read and re-read Aunt Jane's sad letter.
"Poor woman! You will go to her, Gilbert?" he said at last.
"Yes; and I am glad you think I should," I answered.
"Of course; but when do you think of starting?" he asked.
"To-day if I can get off."
"That is prompt," he answered, as if pleased that I should respond so quickly to her request. "How will you make the journey, do you think?"
"By boat, if there is one, and if not, across the country. I would like the last best, though."
"There will be no boat till to-morrow night, and then not surely," he answered, after a moment's thought.