`Well, I will leave you here,' she said. `I want to get back before dark: and I have a cottage-friend to visit, first. Good night, dear friend! Let us see you soon--and often!' she added, with an affectionate warmth that went to my very heart. `For those are few we hold as dear!'

`Good night!' I answered. `Tennyson said that of a worthier friend than me.'

`Tennyson didn't know what he was talking about!' she saucily rejoined, with a touch of her old childish gaiety, and we parted.