they promised to persuade Mother and Daddy to come with them to the farm
next summer.

When everything was ready, Grandpa lifted the little trunk to his shoulder
and carried it out to the car; and soon they were on their way. When
they reached the station Grandpa bought the tickets, checked the little
trunk, and gave the children a story book to read on the train. Dear
Grandpa and Grandma! They always knew just what to do to make the children
happy.

As the train whistled in the distance, Don caught Grandpa's hand and
held it tight. Joyce threw her arms around Grandma and whispered, "Dear
Grandma, I love you! And I've had such a happy time!"

The train pulled up, and the conductor called, "All aboard!" After Grandpa
had helped them on to the train, and had gone back to the station platform,
the children waved and threw kisses through the window. As the train moved
away, they pressed their faces to the window and watched Grandpa and
Grandma as long as they could. But they soon were left behind, the train
moved faster, and the little village passed out of sight. Happy vacation
days on the farm had come to an end.

For a few moments the children had to fight to keep back the tears. Then
Joyce opened the book that Grandpa had given them, and soon their
loneliness was forgotten.

There was a story about a little lame dog that came to a man's house one
cold winter night and whined about the door. He let it in, bound up its
foot, and gave it some food and a comfortable place to sleep.