not get away from it; but I
have learnt to trust instead of worrying, and that's the great lesson of
life. It isn't mastered in a day; it took me years to learn, and many
bitter experiences, which I hope you may be spared; but try, dears, to
do your best, and leave the rest with God! Then comes the `quiet mind'
which will keep you calm and restful through all outward troubles."

The two young, wistful faces gazed into hers, and her eyes filled with
tears of pity.

"Now tell me honestly--shall I help you best by staying, or by going
away at once? I have arranged to do whichever suits you best. If you
need any help."

"Oh, thank you! The best help of all would be to stay and drive down to
the station with us. The packing is all done--in a way! But I expect
that in our haste we have left lots of things behind, for we worked
together, and in such a hurry and confusion that we hardly knew what we
were about. Poor Elsie has packed our new garments in the new trunks,
and watered them with tears. I expect it will be months before they are
opened. We shall have no use for such fineries now."

"You can never tell what may happen, but if you don't, there is no cause
to grieve. They have served their day, and have given you pleasure.
Never mind if you have left some oddments behind; Elsie can send them
on. I never have a visitor at the vicarage that I have not to expend my
substance posting toothbrushes or sponge-bags or stray garments after
their departure."

Truth to tell, Mrs Thornton was much relieved at being allowed to
accompany the girls to the station.

The Vicar's wife possessed even more than her share of feminine
curiosity, and was longing to discover in what fashion Victor Druce said
good-bye to Ruth.

He was already waiting in the dining-room when she went down with the
girls a few minutes later to partake of some light refreshment before
starting on their long journey, and nothing could have been more
unobtrusively sympathetic or attentive than the manner in which he
waited upon them, anticipating every want, and ministering to it with
eager hands. The room itself was so spacious that unconsciously the
little party split into groups; and Mrs Thornton found herself _tete-a-
tete_ with Jack Melland, obviously in the worst of humours.

"Can you do nothing? Is there nothing you can say to knock a little
common-sense into those girls' heads? It's the maddest trick, rushing
off like this in defiance