true, as Vic thinks that he
continually loses. Altogether, I had nearly thirty pounds in hand,
which seemed a lot, only I didn't know at all how much it would cost
for Vivace and me to reach Sally in Chicago; and I couldn't tell until
I had got irrevocably away from Mrs. Ess Kay and The Moorings.

By this time it was nearly two o'clock, and in a couple of hours it
would be light. I must sneak out of the house with a dressing bag
before any of the servants were stirring, and meanwhile I must pack up
all my belongings except such things as Mrs. Ess Kay had given me--so
that I could write and have my boxes sent on by and by.

As soon as I had realised that there wasn't a minute to throw away, the
worst was over, for I didn't stop to grizzle. I finished getting out of
my bridesmaid's dress in which I had danced so gaily a little while
ago, dashed a thin frock, a dressing gown and a few others things into
my fitted dressing bag (which was almost too heavy to carry, but not
quite), and then stuffed everything else, except a travelling frock,
into the boxes that were stored in a huge wardrobe built into the wall.

I made all the haste I could, but I'm not clever at packing, so I heard
some clock striking four, when I had slipped on my thin grey canvas
coat and skirt, and was putting on my hat, with cold hands that
trembled so much I could hardly stick in the hat pins.

I had been excited enough the day I heard I was to come to Mrs. Ess
Kay, but I was twice as excited now when I was going to leave her. I
felt rather frightened, still I couldn't help smiling when I said to
myself how little I had thought when I learned the great news about
America and Mrs. Ess Kay, in what circumstances I should part from her.

Each step Vivace and I took in the corridors and on the stairs seemed
to make such an incredible noise in the quiet house, that I felt like a
runaway elephant eloping with a hippopotamus, but either it wasn't as
bad as I thought, or everyone was lying charmed in a magic sleep, for
we got out through a window in the dining room, down the verandah steps
and across the lawn without being stopped, as I half expected.

I knew the way to the railway station very well, for I had often been
there since I arrived (the last time was when I saw Sally off), but the
question was, when would there be a train? And a good deal depended on
that question, for though Mrs. Ess Kay and Potter might not exactly
have the power to drag me b