George sighed gloomily and went about his preparations for departure.
CHAPTER XXXVII
THE SISTERS
Ellen and Rosie saw him off. Rosie wept openly.
"And, Jarge," she said, kissing him good-bye, "give your mother and your father my love, but especially your mother. Tell her that I love her and that I think of her every day. You won't forget, will you? And tell her that Geraldine is fat and well and has been ever since we got home from the country."
"Good-bye, George," Ellen said quietly. Her face was pale and there was a strained expression about eyes and mouth.
"Oh, Ellen!" George gave her one last wild kiss and rushed madly through the gate.
His coach was far down the train shed and Rosie and Ellen soon lost sight of his hurrying figure. They stood together at the gate and waited until the train started.
As it pulled away Ellen sighed deeply. "Thank goodness he's gone!" She leaned against the grating and laughed hysterically.
Rosie, who had been dabbing her eyes with a wet handkerchief, looked up blankly. "Ellen O'Brien, what do you mean? Are you glad he's gone?"