children would need. A letter had already been written to Grandma, telling
her when to meet them at the station. And she had written back, promising
to be there at the very minute.

When the great day came, the children were so excited they could hardly
eat any breakfast. Mother wisely remembered that when she packed their
lunch-box. The last minute, they ran across the street to tell their
playmates good-by. When they came back, Daddy had brought the car to the
front of the house and was carrying out the little trunk. Mother was
already waiting in the car.

It was getting near train time, so Daddy quickly drove off to the station.
He bought the children's tickets, had the trunk checked, and then he
gave Joyce some money to put into the new red purse Mother had given her
as a parting gift. He slipped a few coins into Don's pocket, too, and
the little boy rattled and jingled them with delight. How grown-up he felt!

The children were very brave, until the train whistled and they knew
they must say good-by. Joyce could not keep the tears back, as she threw
her arms around her mother's neck; but she brushed them away and smiled.
"Joyce, dear," Mother was saying, "I am expecting you to be my good,
brave little daughter. Take care of Don. Remember to pray every day--and
be sure to write to Mother."

Joyce promised; and then, almost before the children knew what was
happening, they were aboard the train, the engine was puffing, the wheels
were grinding on the rails, and they were speeding along through the
green countryside.

Joyce was trying very hard to be brave, for Don's sake. But a lump _would_