quickly," exclaimed Mr. Alder, when
he was telling Mr. Ladd about her.

"I suppose it is because she naturally loves it," he answered. "It
seems too bad that she couldn't live here in the country, she seems
to love it so."

"Yes. I wish Mrs. Alder was better, and took to children more.
Clematis is clumsy in the house, but out in the garden she is right
at home."

So the days went on, with sunshine and clouds, and Saturday came
nearer and nearer.

"Clematis, what have you been doing to the calendar in your room?"
asked Mrs. Alder, at dinner on Friday.

"I was just looking to see how many days till Saturday."

"Well, you needn't muss it up that way."

Every morning Clematis had taken it down and counted the days with
her fingers.

Friday evening she did not eat much supper, and was very silent.

"Longing to get back home, I guess," said Mrs. Alder. "Well, dear,
you will be back with the other children tomorrow. I know what it
is. I was homesick myself when I was a child."

Clematis did not answer. She didn't know how to tell what it was
that troubled her, so she said nothing.

The stars were bright, and the tiny moon was low in the sky, before
the weary eyes closed in sleep.

Clematis had been thinking, and thinking. Tomorrow was Saturday.

Early in the morning she was awake again, by the window.

She leaned her head on her hands, and began to think again.

"That is what he said," she repeated, half aloud.

"That is just what he said. If he didn't mean it, why did he say
it?"

At the breakfast table, Mrs. Alder noticed how pale her cheeks
were.

"Try to eat some toast, dear," said Mrs. Alder. "You will soon be
home again. Only a few hours more now."

Clematis raised her eyes, and gave Mrs. Alder a strange look.

"That child does beat all," said Mrs. Alder, after breakfast. "She
seems to be thinking a lot, but she keeps as quiet as a stone jug."

"She is thinking; you may be sure of that," Mr. Alder replied.

All the morning Clematis went about silently, except when she was in
the loft with Deborah. Then she talked.

"I shan't be afraid. I am a big girl, Debby, and I shan't be a mite
afraid."

Deborah could not speak, but she snuggled up close, and purred, so
Clematis knew just what she meant.

"Be sure to have all your things ready, Clematis," called Mrs.
Alder.

"We shall have an early dinner, for Mr. Ladd will be here about one
o'clock to take you to the station."

"Yes'm," said Cl