on, provided for well. When Harry
heard of the family's exodus, he left the house without a word. He
came back in the course of two or three hours, and told Mrs. Reed what
he had done.

"I am going to sea," he announced. "I saw the captain of the _Brigand_
down at the West India Docks, and he'll take me as cabin boy. I dare
say the life is a bit rough, but I know I shall like it. I have always
been so keen for adventure. I am off to-morrow, Grannie; so I am out
of the way."

Grannie kissed the boy between his straight brows, looked into his
fearless, dancing, mischievous eyes, and said a word or two which he
never forgot. She sent him off the next morning with the best wardrobe
she could muster, half a crown in his pocket, and her blessing ringing
in his ears.

"'Taint much; it's a rough life, but it's the best that could be done,"
she said to Alison. "Ef he keeps straight he'll have good luck, for
it's in the breed," she continued; then she resumed her preparations
for the little girls.

They went away on Saturday, and Alison, David, and Grannie had Sunday
to themselves. It was a sort of day which Alison could never talk of
afterward. It ought to have been very miserable, but it was not; there
was a peace about it which comforted the much-tried girl, and which she
often hugged to her heart in some of the dark days which were close at
hand.

"Now, chil'en," said Grannie, on the evening of that day, "you two will
please go off early in the morning and leave me the last in the old
house."

"But mayn't we see you as far as the railway station?" said Alison.

"No, my love, I prefer not," was the response.

"But won't you tell us where you are going, Grannie?" said David. "It
seems so queer for us to lose sight of you. Don't you think it a bit
hard on us, old lady?"

Grannie looked very earnestly at David.

"No," she said, after a pause, "'taint hard, it's best. I am goin' on
a wisit; ef it aint comfortable, and ef the Lord don't want me to stay,
why I won't stay; but I'd rayther not speak o' it to-night. You must
let me have my own way, Dave and Alison. We are all suited for, some
in one way and some in t'other, but I'd rayther go away to-morrow with
jest the bit of fun of keeping it all to myself, at least for a time."

"Is it in the country, Grannie?" said Alison.

"I'm told it's a fine big place," replied Grannie.

"And are they folks you ever knew?"

"They're friends o' Mr. Williams," s