“It won’t really be living while she’s away,” she said; “but I’ll write to mother Tyler to-night.”
CHAPTER III
LEAVE TAKING
When Hazel first learned that she was to go away from her mother, she cried bitterly. But as the preparations for her departure began, she regained her spirits. Who could grieve for long in the midst of such excitement?
In the first place, there was the new trunk, very small and shining.
“Look at it, Charity,” she said, the afternoon it came home “See my initials on the side, H. T. That stands for Hazel Tyler.”
Charity looked, and envy entered her heart. When she visited her granny in Virginia her clothes were stuffed into a shabby, collapsible bag.
“Folks ’ll think you stuck up,” she said.
“Well, let them,” answered Hazel. “This is a steamer trunk, Charity,” she went on, opening it, “see the cunning tray. When it’s shut you push it under your berth on the steamer. I’m going to have a warm shawl in it to wear on deck.”
“Bet you’ll be sick,” said Charity.
Nevertheless, she was deeply impressed with the little trunk, and watched Hazel as day after day she packed and repacked it.