trio sat in a corner of the car just before reaching New York.

Dr. Burnett had explained to them just how he had been enabled to meet
the expense of their coming travel.

Then he said:--

"Now girls, you are, for the first time in your lives, to be away from
the care and advice of your parents. Of course, if you need help in
judging of anything, you are free to go to Mrs. Douglas; but there will
be much that it will be best for you to decide without troubling her.
You will meet all sorts of people, travellers like yourselves, and many
you will see who are spending money freely and for what seems pleasure
only, without one thought of the special education that travel in the
Old World might bring them. Your mother and I have always been actuated
by one purpose regarding our children. We cannot give you money in
abundance, but we are trying to give you a liberal education,--that
which is to us far superior to mere money riches,--and the only
consideration that makes us willing to part from you and to sacrifice
for you now, is our belief that a rare opportunity for gaining culture
and an education that cannot be found at home is open to you.

"Think of this always, my daughters. Ponder it over while you are gone,
and do your best to come home bringing a new wealth of knowledge that
shall bless your younger brothers and sisters and our whole household,
as well as your own lives. You are not going on a pleasure trip, dear
girls, but to another school,--a thoroughly novel and delightful
one,--but do not forget that, after all, it is a school."

As the rapidly increasing distance took from them the last sight of the