"Here's a letter for you, Rhoda, with money in it," said Miss Carpenter, coming into Granny Parsons's room, where Rhoda was sitting with her work, listening to an interminable story of granny's wrongs from her first, second, and third husbands, and wondering in her own mind what anybody should have seen in her to marry. "I expect it is from Miss Hardy. She lives at Cohansey, don't she?" "Yes, ma'am, but I didn't expect to hear so soon, and it isn't Miss Hardy's writing, either, or at least I think not. I hope nothing has happened," she continued, studying the address with that odd feeling which always prompts one to seek information from the outside rather than the inside of an unexpected letter. "Well, do open it and see, child. It won't grow any worse or better by keeping." Rhoda opened and read the letter, and uttered an exclamation of surprise. "What is it?" asked Miss Carpenter. "Oh, it is all right. She wants me to come, and has sent the money for my fare, but she writes me to be at Cohansey the first of June instead of the first of September." "The first of June! Why, that is the day after to-morrow," said Miss Carpenter. "No, the day after. May has thirty-one days, you know. But the notice is short enough, anyhow. My clothes are all in order, that is one comfort." "Well, I think you needn't complain," grumbled Granny Parsons, "when she sends you money to go with, and all. Nobody don't send me no money in letters." "You would hardly want to set off on such a journey as Rhoda's if they did, since you are afraid to ride even on the street cars," remarked Miss Carpenter. "Is the letter from Miss Hardy herself, Rhoda?" "No, ma'am, from Miss Davis—Anna Davis is the signature. She is one of the teachers, I know. I saw her name in the circular Isa gave me. She says Miss Hardy requests her to write." "Then it is all correct, of course," said Miss Carpenter. "Well, you must go right to work and get ready, so as not to have too much to do at the last. You had better go and see Mrs. Mulford and Mrs. Worthington." "And Marion Campbell—I must bid her good-bye; and I dare say Mrs. Ferrand will have something to send her sister," said Rhoda, thinking, it must be confessed, more of the chance of seeing Isa than of obliging her mother. "How strange it will seem starting off on such a long journey!" "I wish you were not going alone," said Miss Carpenter. "However, I dare say nothing will happen to you." Rhoda's packing was all done the next day. She had received a good travelling outfit when she left Boonville, and had very little to buy. By Mrs. Mulford's advice, she left her money in the bank, taking only enough with her to pay her expenses back again if necessary. "And have you all you want? Are you sure?" asked Marion. "A travelling-bag, now?" "Oh yes," answered Rhoda. "My bag is an old one of mother's. It isn't very smart, but it will do."