There was not much time for preparation, and the house was
in a ferment till Amy was off. Jo bore up very well till the last
flutter of blue ribbon vanished, when she retired to her refuge,
the garret, and cried till she couldn't cry any more. Amy
likewise bore up stoutly till the steamer sailed; then, just as the
gangway was about to be withdrawn, it suddenly came over
her that a whole ocean was soon to roll between her and those
who loved her best, and she clung to Laurie, the last lingerer,
saying with a sob, --

"Oh, take care of them for me; and if anything should
happen --"

"I will, dear, I will; and if anything happens, I'll come and
comfort you," whispered Laurie, little dreaming that he would
be called upon to keep his word.

So Amy sailed away to find the old world, which is always
new and beautiful to young eyes, while her father and friend
watched her from the shore, fervently hoping that none but
gentle fortunes would befall the happy-hearted girl, who waved
her hand to them till they could see nothing but the summer
sunshine dazzling on the sea.

" LONDON.

"DEAREST PEOPLE,--

"Here I really sit at a front window of the Bath Hotel,
Piccadilly. It's not a fashionable place, but uncle stopped here
years ago, and won't go anywhere else; however, we don't mean
to stay long, so it's no great matter. Oh, I can't begin to tell
you how I enjoy it all! I never can, so I'll only give you bits
out of my note-book, for I've done nothing but sketch and
scribble since I started.

"I sent a line from Halifax, when I felt pretty miserable,

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