“I will be with the colored people,” she said, “and I will love Granny.”
“And when night comes, Hazel, remember we shall both be saying our prayers to the same Father in Heaven. I shall ask him to bless you.”
“And I to bless you, Mother dear.”
“And when I look at the stars at night I shall know that the same stars shine on you, only you will see the huge heavens and I shall only see a piece from my city window.”
“And the stars shine on Father, too,” said Hazel. “I think he sees the stars.”
With this thought she went to bed and, after a little, fell asleep, but her mother lay awake the night long.
The last present came as they stood on the steamer. Mr. Perkins brought it to her and demanded and received six hugs in thanks. It was a soft woolen coat, blue outside and red within, finer than anything Hazel had ever owned.
“It’s to keep your heart warm for your old friend,” Mr. Perkins said, as he buttoned it about her. “Take very good care of her, Mrs. Graham;” he spoke earnestly to the woman at Hazel’s side. “Don’t let her from your sight.”
“I’ll be mighty careful,” Mrs. Graham answered.
Then the bell rang and visitors were ordered ashore.