“Beth’s trunk is all ready; there isn’t a thing to do but get her coat and hat on,” said Aunt Rebecca. “It seems ridiculous to come all the way from New York and turn right around without so much as a cup of tea, but if you’re in such a hurry--I suppose Shakespeare knew when he said what had to be done might as well be done quickly. Beth, get your things.” “Now, Aunt Rebecca?” cried Beth. But she departed on her errand instantly, and returned with her hat on backward above a face purple from all sorts of emotions which there was no time to sort out, unrolling her cashmere gloves as she came. “You don’t seem to have looked in the glass,” commented Aunt Rebecca as she took off the excited child’s hat and righted it. “Here, I’ll hold your coat; pull your sleeves down first.” She lifted Beth’s coat over her shoulders with such vigor that Beth herself was raised on her tiptoes. “There’ll have to be somebody get her trunk down to the depot so’s it’ll go on the train with you,” said Aunt Rebecca. “Oh, you kept the carriage!” she added, glancing out of the window. “Then I don’t see but that you’re ready to go on your travels, Beth.” “Mrs. Cortlandt said I was to be sure and tell you not to send anything whatever for the child to wear, Miss Bristead,” said the maid rising. “I’ve provided for my grandniece all her life so far,” said Aunt Rebecca decidedly, “and when she starts she’ll go as I send her, which is properly clad and made comfortable. When she’s in Mrs. Cortlandt’s house she’ll wear exactly what that lady considers proper, same’s she wore here what I considered proper, but she’s going from home with all a well brought up little girl requires. I shall do my part, and Miss Beth’s trunk goes with Miss Beth.” Beth marveled at Aunt Rebecca’s courage, and at her knowledge of the way to address a maid; she quite glowed with pride in her. The maid drew herself up stiffly, but she said kindly: “I’m sure I’ve no objections, madam, to whatever you like to send; it’s only the matter of a baggage check in me pocketbook to me, and it’s natural the way you feel.” She considerately preceded Beth out of the room, her silken skirts rustling more than any skirts of Beth’s acquaintance as she went. But Aunt Rebecca had no farewell to take privately. “Be a good child,” she said, “and remember all you’ve been taught. Have a good time, but see to it that it is a _good_ time--don’t you be naughty. And no matter where you go, nor what you see, don’t you lose hold of your good Bristead principles. Speak the truth, be obedient, first to what you know is right, and secondly to those who are placed over you, and mind your manners. Then in New York, or up here among the Massachusetts hills, or wherever you find yourself, you’ll find you’re fit to be there, and you’ll always come out right whatever befalls you. Good-bye.”