told some story that made Robin laugh out heartily, but it seemed to
her that it was because the little brother was pleased that he
laughed, not because he listened.

Presently Mrs. Estel touched her on the shoulder. "The time is almost
up. I am going to ask your father to bring my things in here. As you
leave at the next station, I could not have your company much longer,
anyhow. I have all the afternoon ahead of me, and I want something to
amuse me."

"I wish I could stay with you," answered Grace, "but mamma is such an
invalid I cannot leave her that long. She would be worrying about me
all the time."

She bade Robin an affectionate good-by, telling him that he was the
dearest little fellow in the world, and that she could never forget
him. He followed her with big, wistful eyes as she passed out, but
smiled happily when she turned at the door to look back and kiss her
hand to him.

At the next station, where they stopped for a few minutes, he watched
for her anxiously. Just as the train began to pull out he caught a
glimpse of her. There was a flutter of a white handkerchief and a
bundle came flying in through the window.

He looked out quickly, just in time to see her stepping into a
carriage. Then a long line of freight cars obstructed the view. By the
time they had passed them they were beyond even the straggling
outskirts of the village, with wide cornfields stretching in every
direction, and it was of no use to look for her any longer.