on't know what to do with you,
Betty dear," said papa, with a most wistful but affectionate glance.
"Perhaps you would like to go to Switzerland with the Duncans? You know
they were very anxious that I should lend you for a while."

"I will think about it," said Betty, trying to smile, but she could not
talk any more just then. She didn't believe that the hardships of this
new journey were too great; it was papa who minded dust and hated the
care of railway rugs and car-tickets, not she. But she gave him a kiss
and hurried out through the garden and went as fast as she could along
the lonely long cliff-walk above the sea, to think the sad matter over.

That evening Betty came down to dinner with a serene face. She looked
more like a young lady than she ever had before. "I have quite decided
what I should like to do," she said. "Please let me go home with you
and stay in Tideshead with Aunt Barbara and Aunt Mary. They speak about
seeing us in their letters, and I should be nearer where you are going."
Betty's brave voice failed her for a moment just there.

"Why, Betty, what a wise little woman you are!" said Mr. Leicester,
looking very much pleased. "That's exactly right. I was thinking about
the dear souls as I came from town, and promised myself that I would run
down for a few days before I go North. That is, if you say I may go!"
and he looked seriously at Betty.

"Yes," answered Betty slowly; "yes, I am sure you may, papa dear, if you
will be very, very careful."

They had a beloved old custom of papa's asking his girl's leave to do
anything that was particularly important. In Betty's baby-days she had
reproved him for going out one morning. "Who said you might go, Master
Papa?" demanded the little thing severely; and it had been a dear bit of
fun to remember the old story from time to time ever since. Betty's
mother had died before she could remember; the two who were left were
most dependent upon each other.

You will see how Betty came to have care-taking ways and how she had
learned to think more than most girls about what it was best to do. You
will understand how lonely she felt in this day or two when the story
begins. Mr. Leicester was too much hurried after all when he reached
America, and could not go down to Tideshead for a few days' visit, as
they had both hoped and promised. And here, at last, was Betty going up
the long village street with Captain Beck for company. She had not seen
Tideshead for