The May sunshine of a rather late spring was beginning to grow warm and
genial at last, and the girl really must have a new hat and gloves and
shoes, and one or two print frocks, before she could possibly put in an
appearance at Aunt Rachel's.
Almost anything had done for running about the lanes at Winchcomb, where
every one knew the Harleys, and respected them far more for not going
beyond their means, than they would have done for any quantity of fine
apparel.
[Sidenote: Goodbye!]
But the preparations were finished at last, the goodbyes were said, and
Edith, leaving home for the first time in her life, sat gravely by her
father's side in the train that was timed to reach Silchester by six in
the evening.
She had been up very early that morning, before any of the others were
astir; and when she was dressed, went out into the garden, where she
could be alone, to think her last thoughts of the wonderful change in
her life.
She had gone on always so carelessly and happily, that the new turn of
affairs sobered and startled her. She seemed to herself to say goodbye,
not only to her home, but to the long, bright, happy childhood that had
been spent there. And her thoughts were full of the few words Mrs.
Harley had spoken about her papa's expenses and worries.
"If I had only known," she said to herself; "if I had only thought about
things, I would have tried to learn more, and be some help while I was
here.
Pages:
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389