aunt have taken it, and never told him? It was not likely.

I was delighted at the idea of any change, for my life had grown
irksome to me.

'Oh, thank you, uncle!' I cried, with genuine expression.

I think he looked a little sad; but he uttered no reproach.

My aunt and he had already arranged everything. The next day but one, I
saw, for the first time, a carriage drive up to the door of the house.
I was waiting for it impatiently. My new clothes had all been packed in
a little box. I had not put in a single toy: I cared for nothing I had
now. The box was put up beside the driver. My aunt came to the door
where I was waiting for my uncle.

'Mayn't I go and say good-bye to grannie?' I asked.

'She's not very well to-day,' said my aunt. 'I think you had better
not. You will be back at Christmas, you know.'

I was not so much grieved as I ought to have been. The loss of my watch
had made the thought of grannie painful again.

'Your uncle will meet you at the road,' continued my aunt, seeing me
still hesitate. 'Good-bye.'

I received her cold embrace without emotion, clambered into the chaise,
and looking out as the driver shut the door, wondered what my aunt was
holding her apron to her eyes for, as she turned away into the house.