my dear," she said,
"that we are going to miss you very much. Of course, you are not really
going away"--the little colonial house was in truth only a quarter of a
mile farther from their house than Nancy's present one--"yet it can't be
quite the same, and we want to mark your going with our love and best
wishes. So we have brought you the Burnham lace for you to keep and hand
down to your children, and may God bless you, my dear, and keep you."
Then they all had a quiet turn at their handkerchiefs, and the Burnham
lace passed into the House of Reynolds.

Leofwin also called and delivered his gift in person. Tom was
fortunately in the room at the time, and the somewhat painful scene was
not protracted. It was the first meeting they had had since Leofwin had
offered his hand and been rejected, and even Leofwin was constrained.
Nancy wondered if Elfrida were to have her trip to Italy, but she could
not put the question without appearing unmaidenly since she knew so well
the only condition of the trip; and as Woodbridge had not many girls
that were eligible for Leofwin's love, the prospect was indeed black.
"Your happiness is all I ask," he said in a low tone, and, despite the
theatrical diction, even Tom was touched by his sincerity. "You know, of
course," he went on, "that I am not in a position now to make an
adequate expression of my wishes"--it _was_ rather affecting even though
nobody present quite knew what he meant--"but I have brought you the
best I have. It is of small material value, but its sentimental value
is great. I did all my best work with it." Whereupon he handed her a
paint brush.

With considerable of a to-do, Mrs. Norris announced the gift of a
grandfather's clock. "There is no use, Nancy dear, in dragging it around
from house to house, and I'm having it sent to your new one."
Accordingly, when the expressman announced its arrival everyone
proceeded to the little colonial house in Tutors' Lane. Then
difficulties arose. To begin with, it was too tall for any room in the
house; and after a great deal of staggering around with it, trying it
first in this place and then in that, a gorgeous wooden plume which
stuck up from its head had to be removed. Then it was discovered that
there were no works in it, Mrs. Norris having bought only the case,
supposing of course that the thing was complete. When finally the parts
had all been assembled and adjusted--which was in the second year of
Tom's and Nancy's ma