CHAPTER III. ON THE WAY.


The journey from Burnet to Hillsover was a very long one. It took the
greater part of three days, and as Dr. Carr was in a hurry to get back
to his patients, they travelled without stopping; spending the first
night on the boat, and the second on a railroad train. Papa found
this tiresome; but the girls, to whom every thing was new, thought it
delightful. They enjoyed their state-room, with its narrow shelves of
beds, as much as if it had been a baby house, and they two children
playing in it. To tuck themselves away for the night in a car-section
seemed the greatest fun in the world. When older people fretted, they
laughed. Every thing was interesting, from the telegraph poles by the
wayside to the faces of their fellow-passengers. It amused them to
watch people, and make up stories about them,--where they were going,
and what relation they could be to each other. The strange people,
in their turn, cast curious glances toward the bright, happy-faced
sisters; but Katy and Clover did not mind that, or, in fact, notice
it. They were too much absorbed to think of themselves, or the
impression they were making on others.

It was early on the third morning that the train, puffing and shrieking,
ran into the Springfield depot. Other trains stood waiting; and there
was such a chorus of snorts and whistles, and such clouds of smoke,
that Katy was half frightened. Papa, who was half asleep, jumped up,
and told the girls to collect their bags and books; for they were to
breakfast here, and to meet Lilly Page, who was going on to Hillsover
with them.