leave-takings, the good-byes, and parting injunctions.

Ruth drove off at last beside her father, feeling like one in a dream,
so dimly did she see everything through the mist of tears which hung
about her eyes.

There was another farewell to be said at the railway junction, for Mr.
Arnold could only wait a few minutes to see her into a comfortable
carriage, and then returned home to Cressleigh. When he waved his hand
and the train was fairly in motion, Ruth began to realize that she was
being separated for a long, long time from all whom she loved best in
the world; she heaved one great sob, and crouching into a corner of the
carriage gave way to a flood of tears. She wept for several minutes
undisturbed, then a kind motherly-looking lady, who was sitting opposite
to her, asked, "What is the matter, my dear? Are you going away to
school?"

"Yes, ma'am; at least, I mean no, not yet. I am going to the sea-side to
stay with my cousins for a few weeks."

"I don't think that most girls would be so distressed at the thought of
a visit to the sea-side," said the old lady, smiling.

"But I'm not coming back for ever so long," replied Ruth, drying her
tears, however. Then she informed her new friend how long she was going
to be away, and what she hoped to see and do during her absence from
home, and the old lady seemed so much interested that Ruth soon grew
bright and merry, and began to notice the pretty country through which
they were passing; and when the train stopped at a rustic station, where
a little pony trap was waiting to convey the old lady to her own home,