We'll make the ranch over into the dearest little home in the world, and be so cosey there all together, and papa and the others shall come out for visits; and you'll like them so much, I know, Elsie especially." "Does she look like you ?" "Not a bit; she's ever so much prettier." "I don't believe a word of that" Clover's heart being thus lightened of its only burden by this treaty of mutual amity, she proceeded joyously with her packing.

Mrs.Hope said she was not half sorry enough to go away, and Poppy upbraided her as a gay deceiver without any conscience or affections.

She laughed and protested and denied, but looked so radiantly satisfied the while as to give a fair color for her friends' accusations, especially as she could not explain the reasons of her contentment or hint at her hopes of return.

Mrs.Hope probably had her suspicions, for she was rather urgent with Clover to leave this thing and that for safe keeping "in case you ever come back;" but Clover declined these offers, and resolutely packed up everything with a foolish little superstition that it was "better luck" to do so, and that papa would like it better.
Quite a little group of friends assembled at the railway station to see her and Phil set off.

They were laden with flowers and fruit and "natural soda-water" with which to beguile the long journey, and with many good wishes and affectionate hopes that they might return some day.
"Something tells me that you will," Mrs.Hope declared.