n
just now."

"And how long shall I be away, father?"

"Nay, child, that I know not. Prudence makes no mention of that.
Haply, I take it, a matter of three months or so, since had the
ladies been leaving shortly she would scarce have sent so urgently
for thee. Thou wilt not be home for thy Christmas, I fear; but thou
wilt be in a good and a godly house, with thine own aunt to watch
over thee; and I trow that thou wilt so act and comport thyself as
to bring credit and not disgrace upon the name thou bearest."

"I will try, good father," answered Cherry with great meekness; and
her father kissed her and bid her begone, for that he was about to
go forth and talk to Abraham Dyson on this matter.

Cherry went up to her room feeling bewildered, half frightened, and
yet elated and pleased. Something had come to break at last the
long monotony of the life which she felt was crushing the spirit
out of her. She was going to a place where it seemed that she must
surely have news of Cuthbert, and where, if she did not pass him on
the road, she would certainly be nearer to him.

Her sisters, greatly astonished, could scarcely believe their ears
when told that Cherry was really going away; and Keziah hung over
her with wistful eyes, assisting her to get her clothes ready, and
wondering what the house would seem like without its rebellious and
most attractive member.

"Methinks it will be duller than ever," she said. "Jacob will
scarce care to come if thou art gone."

"Jacob! why, I trow he will but come the more," answered Cherry,
with a saucy gleam in her eye as she looked in Kezzie's grave face.
"He will come to thee for comfort, my sister, and I trow that thou
wilt give it him in full measure."

Keziah's grave face lighted up somewhat.

"Thinkest thou that? Indeed I would gladly try. Jacob is a good lad
and a kind one. I marvel thou dost not treat him better, Cherry."

"I like Jacob; he is very good. We are great friends," answered
Cherry hastily, "but--"

There she broke off and busied herself over her trunk, saying as
she leaned so far into it that her face could not be seen, "Kezzie,
if Cuthbert should come back, thou wilt tell him where I have gone.
Tell him I am with his kinsfolk, and ask him if he goes that way to
pay a visit to them."

"I will," answered Keziah, who had her own ideas about Cuthbert's
sudden and entire disappearance; "but I fear me we shall see
Cuthbert no more. He--"

"Why sayest thou so?