GRIZEL'S JOURNEY Nothing could have been less expected.

In the beginning of May its leaves had lost something of their greenness.

The plant seemed to be hesitating, but she coaxed it over the hill, and since then it had scarcely needed her hand; almost light-headedly it hurried into its summer clothes, and new buds broke out on it, like smiles, at the fascinating thought that there was to be a to-morrow.

Grizel's plant had never been so brave in its little life when suddenly it turned back.
That was the day on which Elspeth and David were leaving for a fortnight's holiday with his relatives by the sea; for Elspeth needed and was getting special devotion just now, and Grizel knew why.

She was glad they were going; it was well that they should not be there to ask questions if she also must set forth on a journey.
For more than a week she waited, and everything she could do for her plant she did.