lans. Our house is not very large, Aunt Bethia, but there
will always be room enough in it for such a friend as you have been to
us all."

"And you have promised to come, Aunt Bethia," said Violet.

"If all is well," said Miss Bethia, gravely.

"But we are poor creatures, at the best, as I don't need to tell you;
and I don't feel as if I could count on much time or strength for my
part. But it ain't best to worry."

"We have had a good time here this summer, whether we come again or
not," said Sarah Oswald. "I would like to stay here all winter, if
Violet would stay too. It would be a great deal pleasanter than going
back to Aunt Livy."

"Only it is not quite the right thing to say so, Sally," said Frank.

"It would be pleasant to stay for some things," said Violet. "But I am
glad we are going home now. We shall come again in the summer, if Aunt
Bethia will have us."

"You are glad you came, mamma?" said David.

"Very glad. It has been a happy summer to us all. The leaving you
alone was the only thing to be regretted; but I don't think you are
really the worse for being left."

"No," said David, with a long breath. "But I am very glad we are all
going home together. I only wish Aunt Bethia was not going to be left
behind."

In her heart Miss Bethia knew that it was quite as well for all
concerned that she was to be left behind, still it pleased her to hear
David's wish. She had had a pleasant summer as well as the rest; but
she was not so strong as she used to be, and needed quiet.

"Debby and I will tough it out together through the winter," said she;
"and, like as not, those of us who are spared will have to make all
their plans all over again. It will be all right, whichever way it is."

Violet and David looked at Miss Bethia and at each other in surprise,
not so much at her words, as at her manner of saying them. She looked
as though it needed an effort to speak calmly, and she was very pale;
and when she put up her hands to gather her shawl closer about her, they
both noticed that they were trembling and uncertain.

"Miss Bethia is growing old," whispered David.

"And there is something more the matter with her than she will
acknowledge, I am afraid," said Violet.

"It is time to go into the house. The dew is beginning to fall. Come,
children," said the mother, rising.

David and Violet came last with Miss Bethia. She smiled, well pleased,
when, with boyish gallantry, David offer