to assent to her
friend's words as usual.

"But we should be leaving our comforts behind us too, all the people who
love us, and all those whom we love."

"Ah, yes, I know; and all our work as well. And it would be no good,
for we should carry our troubles with us. It was a foolish thing to
say, Katie, dear. It must be time to turn back when such foolish words
come to one's lips."

Besides they had come to a place where turning was easy, and it might be
some time before they could get another chance, so deep was the snow on
either side. So they turned round toward home, and Katie thought it
more wonderful still, for the red glow in the sky was before them now,
and the new moon, and more stars shone as the glow faded.

"But it would be fine to go away with you, Miss Elizabeth, to some far
country, to see strange sights--if we could be spared, I mean, and with
the thought of coming back again."

"Wouldn't it be fine!" said Miss Elizabeth, rousing herself. "Some day
we'll go--you and I together, Katie. We'll cross the sea, and wander
through the countries that we read about in books, and among the great
cities that have stood for hundreds and hundreds of years. Wouldn't you
like to see Scotland, Katie, and the heather hills that grannie tells us
about; and the great castles that they used to hold against all comers
in the old times, and the parks, and the deer, and the gardens full of
wonderful flowers, and the lakes and the mountains--only we can see
lakes and mountains at home."

"And the moors and glens where they worshipped in the dark days."

And so they went on in turn, telling what they would like to see--they
were going slowly now--till they came to the bridge again.

"I like to think about it, but it could never be," said Katie gravely.

"And why not? It might very easily be, I think."

"But it could never be for me, until--the saddest things had happened.
I could never leave my grandfather and my grandmother, and all the rest;
only the rest might live till I came back again; but grannie--and him--"

"Yes, Katie, and it is as true for me as for you. Our work is here, and
our happiness too; and, after all, we have fallen into sad thoughts
again. But we are nearly home now."

"There was no light in the minister's study to-night," said Katie, as
they went slowly up the hill. "Nor in the dining-room either. He must
be away from home."

Elizabeth had noticed the darkened window, but she did