All Burnet took an interest in Katy's plans, and almost everybody had some sort of advice or help, or some little gift, to offer. Old Mrs Worrett, who, though fatter than ever, still retained the power of locomotion, drove in from Conic Section in her roomy carry-all with a present of a rather obsolete copy of Murray's Guide, in faded red covers, which her father had used in his youth, and which she was sure Katy would find convenient; also a bottle of Brown's Jamaica Ginger, in case of seasickness. Debby's sister-in-law brought a bundle of dried chamomile for the same purpose. Someone had told her it was the `handiest thing in the world to take along with you on them steamboats'. Cecy sent a wonderful old-gold and scarlet contrivance to hang on the wall of the state room. There were pockets for watches, and pockets for medicines, and pockets for handkerchiefs and hair pins - in short, there were pockets for everything. There was a pin cushion with `Bon Voyage' in rows of shining pins, a bottle of eau de Cologne, a cake of soap, and a hammer and tacks to nail the whole up with. Mrs Hall's gift was a warm and very pretty woollen wrapper of dark blue flannel, with a pair of soft knitted slippers to match. Old Mr Worrett sent a note of advice, recommending Katy to take a quinine pill every day that she was away, never to stay out late, because the dews `over there' were said to be unwholesome, and on no account to drink a drop of water which had not been boiled.

From Cousin Helen came a delightful travelling bag, light and strong at once, and fitted up with all manner of nice little conveniences. Miss Inches sent a History of Europe in five fat volumes, which was so heavy that it had to be left at home. In fact, a good many of Katy's presents had to be left at home, including a bronze paper weight in the shape of a griffin, a large pair of brass screw candlesticks, and an ormolu ink-stand with a pen rest attached, which weighed at least a pound and a half. These Katy laid aside to enjoy after her return. Mrs Ashe and Cousin Helen had both warned her of the inconvenient consequences of weight in baggage, and by their advice she limited herself to a single trunk of moderate size, besides a little flat valise for use in her state room.

Clover's gift was a set of blank books for notes, journals, and so on. In one of these Katy made out a list of `Things I must see', `Things I must do', `Things I would like to see', `Things I would like to do'. Another she devoted to various shopping addresses which had been given her; for though she did not expect to do any shopping herself, she thought Mrs Ashe might find them useful. Katy's ideas were still so simple and unworldly, and her experience of life so small, that it had not occurred to her how very tantalizing it might be to stand in front of shop windows full of delightful things and not be able to buy any of them. She was accordingly over-powered with surprise, gratitude, and the sense of sudden wealth, when, about a week before the start, her father gave her three little thin strips of paper, which he told her were circular notes, and worth a hundred dollars apiece. He also gave her five English sovereigns.

`Those are for immediate use,' he said. `Put the notes away carefully, and don't lose them. You had better have them cashed one at a time as you require them. Mrs Ashe will explain how. You will need a gown or so before you come back, and you'll want to buy some photographs and so on, and there will be fees - `

`But, Papa,' protested Katy, opening wide her candid eyes, `I didn't expect you to give me any money, and I'm afraid you are giving me too much. Do you think you can afford it? Really and truly, I don't want to buy things. I shall see everything, you know, and that's enough.'

Her father only laughed.

`You'll be wiser and greedier before the year is out, my dear,' he replied. `Three hundred dollars won't go far, as you'll find. But it's all I can spare, and I trust you to keep within it, and not come home with any long bills for me to pay.'

`Papa! I should think not!' cried Katy, with unsophisticated horror.

One very interesting thing was to happen before they sailed, the thought of which helped both Katy and Clover through the last hard days, when the preparations were nearly complete and the family had leisure to feel dull and out of spirits. Katy was to make Rose Red a visit.