spring Carrie had been confined to her bed, but now she seemed much
better, and after Walter had been at home awhile he proposed that he
and his sisters should take a traveling excursion, going first to
Saratoga, thence to Lake Champlain and Montreal, and returning home by
way of Canada and the Falls, This plan Mr. Hamilton warmly seconded,
and when Carrie asked if he would not feel lonely he answered, "Oh,
no; Willie and I will do very well while you are gone."

"But who will stay with Willie evenings, when you are away?" asked
Mag, looking her father steadily in the face.

Mr. Hamilton colored slightly, but after a moment replied: "I shall
spend my evenings at home."

"'Twill be what he hasn't done for many a week," thought Mag, as she
again busied herself with her preparations.

The morning came at last on which our travelers were to leave. Kate
Kirby had been invited to accompany them, but her mother would not
consent. "It would give people too much chance for talk," she said; so
Kate was obliged to content herself with going as far as the depot,
and watching, until out of sight, the car which bore them away.

Upon the piazza stood the little group, awaiting the arrival of the
carriage which was to convey them to the station. Mr. Hamilton seemed
unusually gloomy, and with folded arms paced up and down the long
piazza, rarely speaking or noticing any one.

"Are you sorry we are going, father?" asked Carrie, going up to him.
"If you are I will gladly stay with you."