e to her promise, had arrived at her brother's home
on the day after Randy's departure, now appeared in the doorway.

"Just starting for school Prue?" said she, "why you said good-bye to yer
mother an' me some time ago."

"Well, it takes me longer to get started than when Randy was here," said
Prue. "It's diffe'nt now. I used to hurry to keep up with my Randy, but
now I don't care when I get there long as Randy isn't in the school 't
all. I want a letter from her, too, and I wonder why she doesn't be
sending me one."

"Why, Prue, Randy sent you one yesterday, don't you remember? You took it
to bed with you last night," said Aunt Prudence.

"But I want another one this morning," said Prue, and seeing tears upon
her cheeks, Aunt Prudence, with unusual gentleness, sat down upon the
threshold beside the wee girl, and endeavored to make it clear to her,
that having received a letter from Randy upon the afternoon of one day, it
would be impossible for another one to arrive on the morning of the next.

"Well, I've got my Randy's letter buttoned inside my jacket," said Prue,
"but all the same I want another now, and oh I want my Randy more than
anything."

It required a deal of coaxing to induce Prue to start for school and she
went reluctantly, saying as she turned to wave her hand to Aunt Prudence,
"I used to like school, but tisn't any fun 't all without my Randy."

She walked down the road swinging her little lunch basket, and thinking of
the dear sister whom she so wished to see. At recess Prue left her little
mates and Hi Babson, searching for her, found her outside the yard sitting
disconsolately upon an old stump, her basket beside her, and her luncheon
untouched.

"What's the matter, Prue," said Hi, "I want yer ter play squat tag with
us."

"I don't want to play," said Prue, "I want my Randy."

"But she's in Boston, ain't she?" asked Hi.

"Yes, and I _want_ her, I'm tired of going to school without her."

"_I'm_ tired of goin' ter school at all," said Hi. Then a peculiar light
appeared in his small black eyes.

"I'll tell yer what we'll do," said he, "We'll go and _see_ Randy, you 'n
me. I know the way to the deepot, Prue, Yes sir, we'll go'n see Randy. I
guess she'll be glad 'nough ter see us 'n wont you be glad to see her,
though?"

Little Prue's eyes grew round with delight. Since Randy was to be away
from home, of course the best thing would be to go to her.

"Do you _truly_ know the way?" asked P