t something--about the journey to-day, or the journey
to-morrow, and so many small details, that a wearied frown gathered on
Mr Ingram's forehead and remained there; added to these troubles
Freddie had one of his bad headaches, and would hardly let his mother
leave him for a moment. Susan had scarcely spoken to her that morning,
and now she stood in the nursery ready for her journey, clasping Grace
in one arm, and a warm little cloak in the other. It was almost time to
start, all her other farewells had been said, but she hesitated.

"Now, Miss Susan, my lamb," said Nurse kissing her again, "you've just
time to run down and say good-bye to Missis and Master Freddie, and then
you must be off."

She went down-stairs and softly into the room. It was darkened; Freddie
was lying on his couch with a wet bandage on his forehead, and there was
a strong smell of eau de Cologne. Mother stood near and changed the
bandage now and then for a fresh one; she looked round, and held up her
finger when she heard the door open.

"Ah, it's you dear," she said in a low voice; "be very quiet. Is it
time for you to go? Is the cab there? Where's Maria?"

Susan walked up to the sofa; she had promised not to cry, and her throat
felt so funny that she thought she had better not speak, so she did not
answer any of these questions.

"Good-bye, darling," said Mrs Ingram, stooping to kiss her. "Give my
love to Aunt Hannah, and remember that Maria has a note for her; and be
good and obedient. You may write to me once every week, and I shall
write to you when I can."

Susan clung silently to her mother's neck. If only she might have
cried! Freddie pushed up the handkerchief, and looked at her with his
dark heavy eyes.

"Good-bye, Susie," he murmured; "don't let old Emptycap bully you."

"And now," said her mother, "you must really go. Is Maria there? Kiss
Freddie."

She led Susan to the door where Maria waited; in the hall the cabman was
just shouldering the luggage.

"You know what I have told you, Maria. Take care of Miss Susan, and I
shall expect you home early to-morrow."

Susan looked back when she reached the foot of the stair, and Mother
smiled and nodded, waving her hand; then there was an impatient cry of
"Mother!" from Freddie's room, and she vanished.

When Susan was in the cab with only Maria and Grace to see, she cried,
and refused all comfort for some time; not only because she was going
away to strangers, but