trait, was able to understand what he wished to say, and could make
connected meaning out of what seemed to be a jumble of ideas.

"Oh, Randy will be Randy wherever she is," said Mrs. Brimblecom.

"Wal, I guess she will,--I'll take a leetle more tea," replied Jabez.

"And one of the best girls I ever knew," said his wife.

"I've always known ye set a store by Randy,--I'm ready fer pie naow,"
replied Jabez, and when he had finished his dinner, he darted out of the
house as if in another moment the farm would have been ruined had it not
received his immediate attention.

Every one who met Randy stopped her saying, "Got a letter from Boston,
didn't ye?" until Prue who was usually with her would say,

"Why, Randy, how _does_ everybody know you got a letter?"

"In the same way that everyone knows everything in this village," Randy
would answer with a laugh.

In the midst of all this excitement Randy walked as if on air. Could it be
true, really true that she, Randy Weston, was actually going to Boston?

The letter which had filled Randy's heart with delight had come from her
friend Helen Dayton, the lovely young girl who had spent one summer as a
guest of Mrs. Gray, a near neighbor of the Weston's.

She had made a flying trip to the village at Christmas, bringing with her
the choicest of gifts for Randy and Prue, assuring Randy that they should
soon meet again. Randy had thought much of the promise, but never dreamed
of so delightful a fulfilment.

Near Miss Dayton's home a fine private school had been opened, which
offered every advantage for girls of Randy's age. One of Helen's friends
had been chosen for one of its teachers, and it had occurred to her that
Randy might attend this school during the winter months, making her home
with herself and her aunt.

"I should like to meet this young girl who has so pleased you, Helen," her
aunt had said, "but how would she like city girls, do you think, and on
the other hand, would they like and appreciate her?"

"I would trust Randy to make friends anywhere," Helen had said, and
seating herself at her dainty desk, she wrote the letter containing the
invitation and full particulars in regard to the school.

Randy, with a heart filled with anticipation, promptly answered the letter
telling of her eager acceptance, and rode to the Centre with her father to
mail it.

Then followed such a wonderful series of shopping trips to Barnes' store,
and over to the next town whic