"Yes, it will make lots of trouble, and I am so sorry that it will spoil the pleasure of yourself and your chums. But there is no help for it. I think you had better go back home, Ned. You and your friends can come and spend two months here next summer." "Is Mary going too?" asked Ned. "Mary is going to stay with some relatives in Long Island until I come back. I have sent a cablegram explaining matters to your uncle and it will be waiting for him when his ship arrives on the other side. Oh, poor dear Jane! I hope her case is not a severe one. It is lucky I know how to nurse. She never could get along without me. I am sorry for you, Ned." Ned felt sorry for himself but he did not feel like inflicting his own troubles on his aunt. Still he did want some instructions about what he had better do. He was all upset and did not know whether to go home at once or wait until his aunt had started. He half resolved to tell her what had happened and ask her advice. "Maybe she can send me to uncle's lawyer and he can help me," he said to himself. His aunt came downstairs at that moment and he decided to make an attempt to gain an idea of how to proceed. "Do you know anything about stocks, aunt?" asked Ned. "Stocks? Mercy, no! I leave all that to your uncle. I have trouble enough--" The door bell rang and Mrs. Kenfield opened it. A boy handed her a telegram. Her hands shook as she opened it. "Jane is worse," she said as she read the second brief dispatch. "I must hurry off soon. Now Ned, I can't tell you how sorry I am, but you had better arrange to go home at once. I will take the noon train for Chicago. What time can you get one back to Darewell?" "At four this afternoon." "Then you had better take it. Mary, hurry packing those trunks. Then get your own things ready." "Mine are all packed, Mrs. Kenfield," the girl replied. "All right then. See that the house is well locked up. Don't leave any victuals around where they will spoil. Shut all the blinds and fasten the windows well. You can go any time you are ready, Mary." "I was going to the station with you and help you carry your valise." "Ned can do that. His train doesn't go until four o'clock; can't you, Ned?" "Certainly, aunt." Ned's chance to ask advice was gone for, following the receipt of the second telegram, his aunt was so excited about getting ready that he had no heart to bother her with his affair. He started every time the door bell rang, fearing the police might have traced him to his aunt's house and would arrest him at any moment. An expressman, who had been telephoned for, took two trunks belonging to Mrs. Kenfield. They were to go to Chicago. Mary's was also shipped to her friends in Long Island. Ned was glad he had left his at the depot, as it could be checked back to his home from there.