"My home is at Laurel Grove, near Rosewood."
"And what is your name and your father's name?"
"He is Dr. Gray, and I am Mary Frances Gray."
"Ah, indeed! Why, I know your father very well," said the cheery old gentleman. "Will you shake hands? There, now, we're good friends, aren't we? And I'm going to Hilltop and beyond. I'm Dr. White,—tell your papa,—old Dr. White. Let's see, have you any ticket?"
Flaxie uttered a cry of despair. Till that moment she had not realized the full extent of her woes.
"Oh, Preston took my ticket, and my money, and all my things! Oh, should you have thought he would?"
"Ah, well; we'll see what we can do," said Dr. White.
"Oh, when I get to Hilltop I can't open my valise, for where's my check? I mean my key! Oh, if I'd travelled alone! Preston wanted to take care of me; but he's taken care of me too much!"
Dr. White found it hard to keep his face properly sober; yet he knew his little friend would consider a smile very ill-timed.