"I like my tea pretty strong, and farewells
are watery sort of things, the best of 'em. And this ain't a real
farewell, anyhow."
"'Say au revoir, but not good-by,'" sang Miss Sherborne sentimentally.
"That's it. Everybody knows what good-by means. We'll say the other
thing--as well as we can--and change it to 'Hello' the very first time
any of you come out to see us."
They were curious to know his reason for leaving. He explained that his
niece was sort of lonesome and needed country air; he was going to live
with her, for the present. Consequently Mrs. Ruggles, on the trail of
aristocracy, was the first to call. Hers was a stately and ceremonious
visit. They were glad when it was over. Lawton, the bookseller and his
wife, came and were persuaded to remain and dine. Caroline liked them at
sight. The most impressive call, however, was that of Mr. and Mrs. "C."
Dickens. The great man made it a point to dress in the style of bygone
years, and his conversation was a treat. His literary labors were
fatiguing and confining, he admitted, and the "little breath of rural
ozone" which this trip to Westchester County gave him, was like a
tonic--yes, as one might say, a tonic prescribed and administered by
Dame Nature herself.
"I formerly resided in the country," he told Caroline.
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