.
Wouldn't that be fun? Just think of all the things we could do!"

"Do you think she would?" asked Sophia Jane.

She started up so suddenly to look at Susan that the bandage fell over
one eye. A little quivering smile appeared round her mouth.

"I _think_ so," said Susan with caution, "if I wanted it very much."

"And _do_ you?"

"I'm _sure_ I do," replied Susan earnestly, and she ventured to kiss the
cheek nearest her, wet with tears and eau de Cologne.

It had been Sophia Jane's custom on such occasions, either to rub off
the kiss impatiently or to make a face expressing disgust. This time
she did neither; she laid her head down again in Susan's lap and said
quietly:

"I like you very much."

The words of affection she had wished for had come at last, and few
though they were, Susan liked them better than any she had heard since
she had been in Ramsgate. And, indeed, they were worth more than many
caressing speeches from some people, for Sophia Jane never said more
than she meant. Susan felt quite proud and satisfied, now that she knew
Sophia Jane really liked her.

And so, on the morrow, when the time really came to say good-bye to
Belmont Cottage and everyone in it, it was a comfort to think that
perhaps she should soon see her companion again. It was, indeed, the
only thing that kept up her spirits at all as she drove away with Nurse,
and left the little group gathered round the gate. Aunt Hannah, Nanna,
and Margaretta, even the stiff Buskin, had all come out to see the "last
of Susan" and wave their farewells, but the person she was most sorry to
leave was the once despised Sophia Jane.

Thus they parted; Susan to go back to the busy murmur of the London
streets, Sophia Jane to remain within sound of the great sea. Would
they meet again? Perhaps, at some future time, they would, but whether
they did or not, they had taught each other certain lessons at Ramsgate
which it is possible for us all to learn. Only we must open our eyes
and take the trouble to study them, for though they lie close round
about us we cannot always see them, because we are blinded by pride and
vanity, and despise or lightly esteem the very people who could teach
them. Then we miss them altogether; and that is a great pity, for they
are the best things we can learn in life--Lessons of Self-sacrifice,
Humility, and Love.

THE END.

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Susan, by Amy Walton

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