rsie opened the door, and
there he stood, tall and thin, with the embarrassed _boy_ look upon his
face which always made him seem especially near to his children. It was
the look he wore when they were in trouble and he essayed to lecture and
advise, and it seemed to say, "I've been there myself; I understand!
Now it's my part to play the heavy father, but _I'm not nearly so much
shocked as I pretend_!" To-day his manner was frankly commiserating.

"Well, Kiddie, dear! I was running off to town like a coward, but at
the last moment I was obliged to come up for a word. It's hard lines
for you, dear, and I want you to know that it's hard lines for me, too!
The country won't be half so jolly as if we'd all been together. I'll
miss you _badly_, little lass!"

"_Don't_! I'll howl. _Don't_ make me howl!" pleaded Darsie hastily,
the tight feeling about her eyes and lips giving place to an alarming
weepiness at the sound of the tender words. "If you really care,
father, couldn't you--couldn't you possibly refuse?"

Mr Garnett shook his head.

"No! That's settled. We talked it over, mother and I, and agreed that
it must be done. It's a duty, dear, and we can't shelve duties in this
life. I'm sorry for you in your disappointment, and only wish I could
help, but in this matter no one can help but yourself. You can do a lot
if you try. Shall I tell you, Darsie, how you could get over your
regret, and turn your visit to Arden into something far more agreeable
than you can now imagine?"

Darsie cocked an eye at him, suspicious and hesitating. He was going to
preach! She knew the symptoms of old, and by way of counter-action put
on her most dour and sullen expression.

"Um!"

"Very well, then, here it is! Turn your back on the might-have-been,
and try with all your might to like what _is_! Aunt Maria will, I know,
be all that is kind and indulgent--in her own way! It won't be _your_
way, however, and that's the rub. If you begin your visit in a spirit
of irritation, I'm afraid you are going to have a pretty poor time, but
if you try to enjoy every little thing that comes along out of which
enjoyment can be squeezed and to _laugh_ at the rest, to laugh instead
of to cry--well, it's astonishing how the scene will change! Do you
think you could try?"

Darsie pouted, sulky and unconvinced. "Were _you_ resigned when you
were fifteen?"

"No, my lassie! I wasn't, indeed. Very far from it, I'm sorry to say.