o Canada, but I do not need it to remind me of Hope Farm.'

Saturday came; but it was very late before I could go out to the farm.
It was a frosty night, the stars shone clear above me, and the road was
crisping beneath my feet. They must have heard my footsteps before I
got up to the house. They were sitting at their usual employments in
the house-place when I went in. Phillis's eyes went beyond me in their
look of welcome, and then fell in quiet disappointment on her work.

'And where's Mr Holdsworth?' asked cousin Holman, in a minute or two.
'I hope his cold is not worse,--I did not like his short cough.'

I laughed awkwardly; for I felt that I was the bearer of unpleasant
news.

'His cold had need be better--for he's gone--gone away to Canada!'

I purposely looked away from Phillis, as I thus abruptly told my news.

'To Canada!' said the minister.

'Gone away!' said his wife. But no word from Phillis.

'Yes!' said I. 'He found a letter at Hornby when we got home the other
night--when we got home from here; he ought to have got it sooner; he
was ordered to go up to London directly, and to see some people about a
new line in Canada, and he's gone to lay it down; he has sailed to-day.
He was sadly grieved not to have time to come out and wish you all
good-by; but he started for London within two hours after he got that
letter. He bade me thank you most gratefully for all your kindnesses;
he was very sorry not to come here once again.' Phillis got up and left
the room with noiseless steps.

'I am very sorry,' said the minister.

'I am sure so am I!' said cousin Holman. 'I was real fond of that lad
ever since I nursed him last June after that bad fever.'

The minister went on asking me questions respecting Holdsworth's future
plans; and brought out a large old-fashioned atlas, that he might find
out the exact places between which the new railroad was to run. Then
supper was ready; it was always on the table as soon as the clock on
the stairs struck eight, and down came Phillis--her face white and set,
her dry eyes looking defiance to me, for I am afraid I hurt her
maidenly pride by my glance of sympathetic interest as she entered the
room. Never a word did she say--never a question did she ask about the
absent friend, yet she forced herself to talk.

And so it was all the next day. She was as pale as could be, like one
who has received some shock; but she would not let me talk to her, and
she tried hard to b