It only remained for Clarence to take leave of the party.

The final parting with Susy had been discounted on the two previous days with some tears, small frights and clingings, and the expressed determination on the child's part "to go with him;" but in the excitement of the arrival at Stockton it was still further mitigated, and under the influence of a little present from Clarence--his first disbursement of his small capital--had at last taken the form and promise of merely temporary separation.

Nevertheless, when the boy's scanty pack was deposited under the stage-coach seat, and he had been left alone, he ran rapidly back to the train for one moment more with Susy.

Panting and a little frightened, he reached Mrs.
Peyton's car.
"Goodness! You're not gone yet," said Mrs.Peyton sharply.

"Do you want to lose the stage ?" An instant before, in his loneliness, he might have answered, "Yes." But under the cruel sting of Mrs.Peyton's evident annoyance at his reappearance he felt his legs suddenly tremble, and his voice left him.
He did not dare to look at Susy.