"
As she spoke, the doctor's voice was heard from below, calling to
them to hurry; Aunt Jane swept out from her room; Mrs. Adams
snapped the fastener of her bag and turned to say good by to her
daughter. Polly went down-stairs behind her and stood in the door,
looking after them with rather a long face, though she waved her
hand bravely until they were around the corner.
Then she went back up-stairs, feeling as if, all at once, an
earthquake had struck their quiet home. She and her mother had
rarely been separated, and the suddenness and sadness of the
present summons only added to the loneliness. The house was in
that state of disorder which always follows a hurried packing, and
Polly went mechanically up and down, putting the rooms in order
while, in imagination, she followed the travellers to the train.
Then, when, all was done, she went into her own room and sat down
to consider the situation. Taken all in all, it was not an
encouraging picture that the next few days presented. Her father
was liable to be called away at any hour of the night, leaving her
alone with Mary who slept at the far end of the house; there would
be the lonely hours when she was out of school; the next day was
Saturday--what should she do with herself? The prospect was too
much for poor Polly and, throwing herself down on her bed, she
gave herself up to the luxury of a hearty cry.
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