t--we _have_ gone on
livin' after we get back six years--to 1892. Ye see, we really have past
all the six years--so the's no harm in it. Milliken won't be hurt."

Rebecca glanced at Phoebe, in whose face she found her own perplexity
reflected. Then, throwing out her hands, as though pushing away her
crowding mental obstructions, she cried:

"There--there! I can't get the hang of it. It's too much for me!"

"Oh, when you've done it once it'll be all easy and clear," said Droop,
soothingly.

Phoebe looked hopefully into his face.

"Will you take us, Mr. Droop?" she asked.

"Oh, I s'pose I'll hev to."

"An' only unwind six years?"

"Yes--jest six years."

She jumped up excitedly.

"Then I'll be off to my packin'!"

She ran to the door and, pausing here, turned again to their visitor.

"Can we start to-night, Mr. Droop?"

"Yes, indeed!" he replied. "The sooner the better."

"That's splendid!" she cried, and ran quickly up the stairs.

The two older people sat for a while in melancholy silence, looking
down. Each had hoped for more than this. Copernicus tried to convince
himself that the profit from the cough syrup would comfort him for his
disappointment. Rebecca dismissed with a sigh the dreams which she had
allowed herself to entertain--those bright fictions centering on Joe
Chandler--not the subdued old bachelor of 1898, but the jolly young
fellow of the famous Centennial year.

At length Rebecca looked up and said:

"After all, Mr. Droop, come to think of it, you've no call to take us
with ye. I can't do ye any good--goin' back only six years."

"Yes ye can," said Droop. "I'll need somebody to help me keep house in
the Panchronicon. I ain't no hand at cookin' an' all, an' besides, it'll
be mighty lonely without anybody in there."

"Well," she rejoined, rising, "I'll jest go up an' finish my packin'."

"An' I'll go tend to mine."

As they parted at the front door, it was arranged that Droop was to
bring a wheelbarrow after supper and transport the sisters' belongings,
preparatory to their departure.

The rest of the day was spent in preparation for the momentous voyage.
Phoebe went to the little bank at Peltonville station and withdrew the
entire savings of herself and sister, much to the astonishment and
concern of the cashier. She walked all the way to the bank and back
alone, for it was obviously necessary to avoid inconvenient questions.

When the two sisters stood in their little dining-