"What is the name of the school?" asked Katy. Her voice sound a good deal like a sob.
"The girls call it
'The Nunnery.'
It is at Hillsover, on the Connecticut River, pretty cold, I fancy; but the air is sure to be good and bracing.
That is one thing which has inclined me to the plan.
The climate is just what you need."
"Hillsover?
Isn't there a college there too?"
"Yes: Arrowmouth College.
I believe there is always a college where there is a boarding-school; though why, I can't for the life of me imagine.
That's neither here nor there, however.
I'm not afraid of your getting into silly scrapes, as girls sometimes do."
"College scrapes?
Why, how could I.
We don't have any thing to do with the college, do we?" said Katy, opening her candid eyes with such a wondering stare that Dr. Carr laughed and replied:
"No, my dear, not a thing." "The term opens the third week in April," he went on.
"You must begin to get ready at once.
Mrs. Hall has just fitted out Cecy: so she can tell you what you will need.
You'd better consult her, to-morrow."
"But, papa," cried Katy, beginning to realize it, "what are you going to do?
Elsie's a darling, but she's so very little.
I don't see how you can possibly manage.
I'm sure you'll miss us, and so will the children."
"I rather think we shall," said Dr. Carr, with a smile, which ended in a sigh; "but we shall do very well, Katy; never fear.
Miss Finch will see to us."
"Miss Finch?
Do you mean Mrs. Knight's sister-in-law?"
"Yes.
Her mother died in the summer; so she has no particular home now, and is glad to come for a year and keep house for us.
Mrs. Knight says she is a good manager; and I dare say she'll fill your place sufficiently well, as far as that goes.
We can't expect her to be you, you know: that would be unreasonable."
And Dr. Carr put his arm round Katy, and kissed her so fondly that she was quite overcome and clung to him, crying,—
"O papa! don't make us go.
I'll frisk, and be as young as I can, and not grow middle-aged or any thing disagreeable, if only you'll let us stay.
Never mind what Cousin Olivia says; she doesn't know.
Cousin Helen wouldn't say so, I'm sure."
"On the contrary, Helen thinks well of the plan; only she wishes the school were nearer," said Dr. Carr.
"No, Katy, don't coax.
My mind is made up.
It will do you and Clover both good, and once you are settled at Hillsover, you'll be very happy, I hope."
When papa spoke in this decided tone, it was never any use to urge him.
Katy knew this, and ceased her pleadings.
She went to find Clover and tell her the news, and the two girls had a hearty cry together.
A sort of "clearing-up shower" it turned out to be; for when once they had wiped their eyes, every thing looked brighter, and they began to see a pleasant side to the plan.
"The travelling part of it will be very nice," pronounced Clover.
"We never went so far away from home before."
Elsie, who was still looking very woeful, burst into tears afresh at this remark.
"Oh, don't darling!" said Katy.
"Think how pleasant it will be to send letters, and to get them from us.
I shall write to you every Saturday.