Left at Home | Page 9

going to happen, "is the aunt that I

am going to live with, that one that came here once?"
"Yes," said Mrs. Vivyan; "She is very kind, Arthur, and I know she will
love you very much, if----"
"Yes, if I am good, I know," said Arthur; "and that's just the difference.
You know, mamma, you always love me, whatever I am."
"Of course," said his mother, smiling; "but you could not expect any
one to love you in the way your mother does. You would not like her to
be your mother, would you?"
"No, of course not. Now, mother, tell me something about what her
place is like, and where it is, and what sort of things I shall do when I
am there. I have loads of questions to ask, only I forget them now."
"Well, begin then," said his mother; "perhaps one will remind you of
another."
"First of all, then, what is the name of her place?"
"Myrtle Hill, near Stanton."
"Myrtle Hill! what a funny name. Is it at all like this, mother?"
"No, dear, not much. I am afraid it is a much more orderly kind of place.
But I will try to describe it to you. It is a good many years since I was
there, and I did not notice things so very much. It is a white house with
myrtle trained over the lower parts, and a great many myrtle trees
growing in the avenue; that is why it is called Myrtle Hill. I know there
is a large garden with a good many shady places under the trees, that I
remember thinking would be delightful in the summer. There is a front
garden too."
"That's nice," said Arthur.
"Oh, but I don't expect your aunt will like little boys to have the run of
her garden!"

"I daresay she will," said Arthur. "She is going to be very fond of me,
you know."
"Well, that is question number one. Now, what is the second?"
"Yes; where does she live?"
"It is a good way from this; about six hours by the train, and five miles
from Stanton."
"Oh, yes! and that reminds me of another question. How am I to learn?
Will she teach me? I hope not."
"No," said Mrs. Vivyan; "we have thought you are old enough to go to
school now. There is a very good school between your aunt's house and
the town. It is about two miles from Myrtle Hill, and you would go
there every morning and come back early in the evening."
"Ah, I like that very much," said Arthur joyfully; "that really is jolly,
mother. Who keeps the school?"
"A very nice gentleman. Your father has known him for a long time."
"He is tremendously strict, I suppose?"
"Well, I daresay he likes to be obeyed," said Mrs. Vivyan; "but that is
quite right, isn't it?"
"Yes, of course," Arthur answered. "What is his name, mother?"
"Mr. Carey."
"Well, I don't like that name," said Arthur emphatically; "but I suppose
he can't help that. Does he wear spectacles?"
"No, I should think not," said Mrs. Vivyan, smiling; "he is not old
enough. I think he is not quite so old as your father."
"I suppose he is rather young then. I am glad of that. I should never be

so much afraid of youngish people as of old ones."
"Any more questions?" asked Mrs. Vivyan presently. "There is one
question you have not asked, Arthur, darling, that I was expecting, and
it is the one question that my heart is paining to have to answer."
"What can it be, mother?" said Arthur wonderingly. "I think I have
asked a great many. What can it be?"
And then he thought for a little while very earnestly. At length a
troubled look came into his eyes, and he looked at his mother, and said
softly--
"I know, mother, I know, and I am rather afraid to ask; but I must, for I
want to know. When am I going?" The question came out very slowly.
"Arthur, my own darling little boy," said his mother, pressing her arm
very closely around him, and he could hear the quiver in her voice as
she spoke, "it is very soon. We did not tell you until just at the end,
when we were obliged to do it; because what was the use of making
you unhappy before we need?"
"Well, when is it?" said Arthur.
"It is the day after to-morrow."
"Oh, mother, mother!" was all Arthur said; and he became very still
indeed.
By and by he said, in a very troubled voice, "I wish I had known it
before."
"Why, dear?"
"Because then--oh, mother!" said Arthur, bursting into tears, "I would
have stayed with you all the