"Oh, George!" Ellen looked at him with a shocked expression. "I don't see how you can say such a thing after the way you've been waiting all these years! Besides, what would your poor mother say if you didn't come now that you could? You've told me yourself how the burden of things has fallen on her more and more and how anxious you are to relieve her." "I know," George acknowledged; "but, Ellen girl, don't you see I can't bear to leave you now I've got you. I've had you for such a little while!" "Won't you have me just the same, even if you are in the country? Besides, you'll be getting things ready for me by spring." George took a sharp breath. "But I want you now!" Ellen looked at him gravely. "See here, George, there's no use talking that way. You've got to work and I've got to work, and if we don't get our work done this winter it'll be all the worse for both of us when spring comes. Your father's expecting to hand over the management of the farm to you this fall and it's up to you to take it. Ain't I right?" George sighed. "I suppose you are." "Then don't be foolish. Besides you can come down and see me at Thanksgiving." George gasped. "Why, Ellen, I expect to see you before that! I could come in and stay over Sunday 'most any week." "No, George, you mustn't do that! I won't let you!" Ellen spoke vehemently. "It would only cost you money and you know perfectly well you need every cent of cash you've got! Once you're back in the country you won't be getting in three dollars a day ready money. No! You'll come to see me Thanksgiving and not before." Ellen was right. It would be necessary for him to hoard like a miser his little stock of money until the farm should once again be on a paying basis. George sighed gloomily and went about his preparations for departure. CHAPTER XXXVII THE SISTERS Ellen and Rosie saw him off. Rosie wept openly. "And, Jarge," she said, kissing him good-bye, "give your mother and your father my love, but especially your mother. Tell her that I love her and that I think of her every day. You won't forget, will you? And tell her that Geraldine is fat and well and has been ever since we got home from the country." "Good-bye, George," Ellen said quietly. Her face was pale and there was a strained expression about eyes and mouth. "Oh, Ellen!" George gave her one last wild kiss and rushed madly through the gate. His coach was far down the train shed and Rosie and Ellen soon lost sight of his hurrying figure. They stood together at the gate and waited until the train started. As it pulled away Ellen sighed deeply. "Thank goodness he's gone!" She leaned against the grating and laughed hysterically. Rosie, who had been dabbing her eyes with a wet handkerchief, looked up blankly. "Ellen O'Brien, what do you mean? Are you glad he's gone?" "You bet I'm glad!" Ellen's silly high-pitched laugh continued until silenced by Rosie's look of scornful fury.