ust hurry. I never saw such a
wonderful place as the dining-room at the
'Blackstone.' There were quantities of little
tables, and men waiters to bring you what you
wanted. I thought the bill of fare on the train
was long enough to satisfy any one, but the one at
the 'Blackstone' was simply endless. Uncle Henry
told me to choose what I wanted, but there were so
many things I couldn't possibly choose, so he
ordered a nice lunch, and all the time we were
eating music was playing in a gallery overhead.

"After lunch Uncle Henry took another taxi, and
told the driver to show us the city. It was all
very interesting, but so noisy and confusing that
I got very tired looking at so many things at
once, and I was really rather glad when Uncle
Henry said it was time to go back to the station.

"This train is called the 'Chicago Special,' and
is even grander than the one we were on before. It
goes very fast, but doesn't swing so much, because
the road-bed is smoother, Uncle Henry says. I was
so tired last night that I went to bed right after
dinner, and never woke once till morning. We are
due in New York this afternoon, and Uncle Henry
says I had better post my letter in Albany,
because after we leave there he wants me to see
the Hudson, which I believe is very beautiful. So
good-bye, you dear precious people! Oh, how
anxious I am for my first letters from home! Don't
forget to tell me about every single little thing
that happens. I am thinking of you all every
minute, and if I were going to any other people
but Aunt Julia and Elsie I would be so unhappy.
But of course going to one's own aunt and cousin
is very different from being with strangers, and
Uncle Henry is really very kind. Oh, I do wonder
if Elsie is as much excited about meeting me as I
am about meeting her!

"Uncle Henry says we shall be in Albany in ten
minutes, so good-bye again, with oceans of love
from

"YOUR OWN MARJORIE."

CHAPTER VIII

AUNT JULIA AND ELSIE

"ELSIE, my dear child, do you know what time it is?