As they approached the station, Frank appeared a little nervous about something. The cause of his anxiety was apparent when the carriage stopped. He was the first to get out and the first to mount the platform. Somebody was evidently waiting for him.
EFFIE WAITING FOR SOMEBODY.
Doctor Bronson followed him a minute later, and heard something like the following:
"There, now, don't cry. Be a good girl, and I'll bring you the nicest little pigtail, of the most Celestial pattern, from China."
"I tell you, Mr. Frank Bassett, I'm not crying. It's the dust in the road got into my eyes."
"But you are; there's another big tear. I know you're sorry, and so am I. But I'm coming back."
"I shall be glad to see you when you come back; of course I shall, for your sister's sake. And you'll be writing to Mary, and she'll tell me where you are. And when she's writing to you she'll—"
The bright little face turned suddenly, and its owner saw the Doctor standing near with an amused expression on his features, and, perhaps, a little moisture in his eyes. She uttered a cheery "Good-morning," to which the Doctor returned,