eek ago, her mother was talking of sending her to Troy, to her Aunt
Sarah's: but I declare I had forgotten all about it till this minute."

Mr. Allen was a man of business, and very forgetful, or he could not
have made such a blunder as this. And there was Flaxie's new and
elegant doll, Christie Gretchen, all packed in cotton, in a box by
itself, on purpose to show Cousin Milly.

"Well, my daughter, you can wait and go another time, that's all," said
Dr. Papa, oh, so cheerfully, as if it didn't make a bit of difference.

"Another time!" That was a little too dreadful. Flaxie felt as if it was
more than she could bear, when her bonnet was on and everything ready.

"Oh no, papa, I don't want to wait till another time. I want to go now."

"Yes, let her go," said Uncle Ben.

There wasn't much time to discuss the matter, and Flaxie was so eager
that it seemed a pity to disappoint her; so she went.

"Homesick?" Why, _she_ shouldn't be homesick! The truth was, she didn't
know what the word meant.

When they reached Hilltop, Milly _was_ gone. Aunt Charlotte was looking
for Uncle Ben, but when he alighted from the carriage there was a
glimmer of blue and gold, and Flaxie Frizzle appeared, borne aloft in
his arms. Aunt Charlotte ran to the door very much surprised.

"Why, you darling," said she, greeting her with kisses, "we didn't
expect you just now."

"I know it," returned the little guest triumphantly; "we wanted to
surprise you. I knew Milly wasn't here, but I thought I'd come to see
the rest of the folks."

Johnny and Freddy smiled at this very pleasantly; and little Ken, the
very small baby, cooed and sucked his thumb.

"I don't care a speck if Milly _is_ gone. I've brought a new dolly to
show you," cried Flaxie, whirling Aunt Charlotte's head around as if it
had been a revolving globe, and kissing her under the left ear.

"And oh, Uncle Ben and I had such a nice time on the cars! We had bread
with egg between, and bread with chicken between, and candy and pinnuts.
'Twas splendid!"

"Well, we'll have nice times here," returned Aunt Charlotte; but her
tone was doubtful. She knew how suddenly Flaxie sometimes changed from
one mood to another; and what could she do with such a wayward little
guest, when Milly was gone?

"I like Hilltop so much," went on Flaxie, pouring out compliments.
"Uncle Ben's so nice, you know; and Johnny, and Freddy, and the baby."

Freddy threw back his shoulders. He liked to be call