It was quite Dark when we got up next Morning, but every one was up, to see _Gatty_ off. We all insisted on her making a hearty Breakfast, and she declared that every Morsel seemed to stick in her Throat; so that it was "most Haste, worst Speed." _Prue_ put her up a large Packet of Sandwiches and Biscuits, saying she would find her Appetite by-and-by; and my Mother pinned her Handkerchief closer at the Throat, bidding her beware of Cold. I thought there would be no End to her Leave-taking.--When she had kissed all round, she began again. "Am not I to come in for my Share, Mrs. _Gatty_?" says my _Father_, who was eating an Anchovy. "Oh yes, Sir," says she, laughing, and colouring a little; and kissed him too. "That's right," says he; "you're one of the right Sort--frank, without being forward--A thorough nice Girl, out and out--I wish the World were full of People like you." "Thank you for all your Kindness, Sir," says she. "Pooh," says he, "I've shown you no Kindness; the Women have, I grant ye; all the better for both Parties." "Come, _Gatty_," said I, "we shall lose the Coach." So off we set, with _Peter_ carrying the Trunk. When we reached the _Old Angel Inn_, a noisy Bell was ringing, enough to deafen one; and a Man blowing a Horn out of the Window. The Coach was already at the Door, and a Porter was shoving a very fat Woman into it, to the apparent Disgust of a Gentleman wrapped in a Roquelaure, who was already withinside. Then the Porter handed the old Woman a Dram-Bottle, and a Puppy-Dog tied up in a red Handkerchief. A thin, tall Gentlewoman in a velvet Hood and green Joseph next followed; and two rough-looking Men got in last. On the Coach-Roof were two Men hallooing and wanting to be off. In the Basket, where _Gatty_ was to go, was an old Woman smoking a Pipe. We took our last Kiss--a hearty one, and our last Look--a cheerful one; she scrambled up into the Basket, which was a very awkward Appurtenance, and the lumbering old Coach drove off, rocking and swaying from Side to Side like a Ship in a Gale of Wind. Going under the Archway, one of the Men on the coved Roof of the Vehicle got a severe Rap on the Head. He hallooed out pretty loudly, but his Voice was drowned by the Horn. [Illustration] [Illustration] CHAPTER VIII. _A Voice from the Basket._ Before I reached Home, a drizzling Rain began to fall, which I was very sorry for on _Gatty's_ Account. In the Course of the Evening, Dr. _Elwes_ called. He said, "What could that young Baggage mean by sending me her three Pounds? I give them in Charge to you, Mrs. _Patty_, to remit to her, since I don't know her Address." I said, "You are very kind, _Doctor_, but Lady _Betty_ is well able to remunerate you." He said, "Oh, hang Lady _Betty_--I don't return the Money to her, but to Mrs. _Gatty_." "Perhaps," said I, "Mrs. _Gatty's_ Pride will be hurt." "And have I no Pride, neither?" says he. "I am not accustomed to take Fees of a Lady's Maid."