"Good-bye, Elsli. I wish I could go with you," cried a voice from the
road-side. It was Fred, who had not been able to finish his work before,
and who had only painted his last snail just in season to throw his now
illustrated list after Elsli.

This last greeting brought the tears to Elsli's eyes. She seemed now
fully to realize that she was leaving home, leaving all who had ever
known and loved her. Clarissa saw it all, and, taking Elsli's hand in
hers, she expressed, by the warm grasp that she gave her, a mother's
sympathy and love.

For the next week the doctor's family were busy talking over and over
all the events of the past few weeks, from the arrival of little Nora to
Elsli's final departure. On the tenth day came a long letter from Elsli,
which gave food for farther conversation. The mother and the aunt and
the four brothers and sisters were all equally impatient to know the
contents. The letter was addressed to Emma, who knew it from its
envelope, opened it out, and exclaimed with delight:--

"It is eight pages long! I will read it aloud to you"

ROSEMOUNT ON THE RHINE, Sept. 28, 18--.

DEAR FRIEND,--Thank you a thousand times for your good advice, for
without it I should never have dared to say a word about Fani.

But I will begin at the beginning and tell you everything as it has
happened. When Fred said good-bye and I drove away from you all, I
had to cry a little! But Aunt Clarissa--this is what I am to call