to which
request Mrs. Ellis only replied by asking if Gertrude thought a Thibet
dress would be uncomfortable on the journey; and, when it was repeated
with great earnestness, she, with equal unsatisfactoriness to the
suppliant for epistolary favours, begged to know how many pairs of
undersleeves she would probably require. Having responded to her
questions, and at last gained her attention, Gertrude obtained from her
a promise to write _one_ letter, which would, she declared, be more than
she had done for years.

Before leaving the house, Gertrude sought Mr. Graham's study, in hopes
that he would take a friendly leave of her; but on her telling him that
she had come to bid him "Good-bye," he indistinctly muttered the simple
words of that universal formula--so deep in its meaning when coming from
the heart; so chilling when uttered, as on the present occasion, by
stern and nearly closed lips--and turning his back upon her, took up the
tongs to mend his fire. So she went away, with a tear in her eye and a
sadness in her heart.

A far different scene awaited her in the upper kitchen, where she went
to seek Mrs. Prime and Katy. "Bless yer soul, dear Miss Gertrude!" said
the former, stumbling up the staircase which led from the lower room,
and wiping her hands on her apron--"how we shall miss yer! Why, the
house won't be worth livin' in when you're out of it. My gracious! if
you don't come back, we shall all die out in a fortnight. Why, you're
the life and soul of the place! But there, I guess you know what's
right; so, if you must go, we must bear it--though Katy and I'll cry our
eyes out, for aught I know."

"Sure, Miss Gairthrue," said Irish Katy, "and it's right gude in you to
be afther comin' to bid us good-bye. I don't see how you gets memory to
think of us all, and I'm shure ye'll never be betther off than what I
wish yer. I can't but think, miss, it'll go to help yer along, that
everybody's gude wishes and blessin' goes with yer."

"Thank you, Katy, thank you," said Gertrude, touched by the simple
earnestness of these good friends. "You must come and see me some time
in Boston; and you too, Mrs. Prime, I shall depend upon it. Good-bye;"
and the good-bye that _now_ fell upon Gertrude's ear was a hearty and a
true one; it followed her through the hall, and as the carriage drove
away she heard it mingling with the rattling of the vehicle.

CHAPTER XXII.

A FRIEND IN AFFLICTION.

Passing over Gertrude's