Many and solemn were the leave-takings and warnings bestowed upon Miss Berry at the outset of her pilgrimage. She was somewhat astonished herself at her own calmness at the prospect.
"It must be I don’t sense it," she declared as she gave her lisle-thread glove a parting wave from the car window. She had planned by letter to have Gorham Page meet her in Boston, and take her to an inexpensive boarding-house where she might remain until she was fitted out for her wonderful trip.
It was a tired and harassed woman that Page met that afternoon, hugging to her, as she stepped from the car, a straining, excited, furry bundle that jumped eagerly to the end of his chain as she permitted him to leap down.
"Such a time as I’ve had this day," she ejaculated. "I guess I’ve broke most o’ the laws ever made by God and man. By good luck I knew the conductor,—he came from near our place, and he, seein’ that Blitzen rampaged dreadful in the baggage-car, let me hold him in my lap. I lost my temper before I’d been out o’ Pearfield half an hour, and I haven’t found it since. I’m just tuckered out. Miss Bryant made a great point o’ my bringin’ Blitzen, but law, before I’d have the care o’ him from here to Chicago I’d give up the whole undertakin’." Miss Berry looked anxiously at the dog as he bobbed about at the end of his tether as though to expend the energy stored in his lively legs during hours of inaction. "I don’t know how I could leave him in Boston," she added, "and yet"—
Page smiled. "You know very well if you left him he would walk on the ties to Chicago. Don’t worry, Aunt Love, I’ll send him safely for you. You shall not have any trouble."
Miss Berry looked half hopeful, half incredulous.
"Yes, by express. It will be all right," and Page held open the door of a cab, into which Miss Berry stepped with the nervous and astonished Blitzen again caught in her strong clasp.
"I haven’t thanked you a word," she said when the horse had started, "but you can’t think what a help it’s been to me to have you manage about the boardin’ place and all."
"Hilda wouldn’t hear to your going anywhere but straight to her," returned Gorham.
"Oh, that is too much," exclaimed Miss Lovina, flushing with pleasure; and the warm welcome she received when she arrived at Mrs. Page’s dainty apartment completed her relief from care and embarrassment.