"Prissy," she whispered, a little later, bending over the child.
"Let's get dressed, Prissy, and surprise Mrs. Chaisson by having the table set and things started before she wakens."
"All right," agreed the little girl, sitting up; "but--but--how did I get here?"
"You were rather restless; so I brought you out here with me--" began Desiré.
"And you slept in the chair! Oh, you must be _so_ tired, Dissy. Why did you do it?"
"I'm all right, dear. Never mind about it. Don't say anything of it to _any one_!"
"Why?" asked Priscilla, wondering at her sister's earnestness.
"Because Jack might be afraid I was too tired to start out today, and--"
"Oh, are we really going this morning?" demanded Priscilla, her mind immediately occupied with the exciting prospect.
"Yes; and it's going to be a glorious day."
The sound of their voices roused the others; and while breakfast was being prepared, and the house set in order--for Desiré would not leave their hostess any extra work--Jack got the team and wagon ready for departure. At nine o'clock, after reluctant and affectionate farewells had been exchanged, Jack gathered up the reins. Beside him sat Desiré, and directly back of them on little stools were Priscilla and René.
"Now, remember," repeated Mrs. Chaisson, handing a lunch basket to Desiré, "that this is your home whenever you are in Yarmouth, or any other time you need one. And whenever you can, let me hear how you're getting on. We'll be thinking of you all the time."
"Thank you," said Desiré, kissing Mrs. Chaisson affectionately, and adding for the tenth time--"You've been so very good to us."
"We shall never forget it," said Jack, tightening the reins; and Dolly and Dapple, moving away from the gate, put an end to the farewells.
No one saw, hidden away among the maple saplings, scrub pine, and underbrush which covered the field beside the house, the bulky figure of a man. Neither did they hear softly muttered words of anger and revenge.
After they had left Yarmouth behind and were jogging along the road back over the same route they had covered on the train the day before, Desiré turned sidewise in the seat to inspect once more the interior of their "store." At the back was their trunk, and next to it their box; and on either side, reaching to the very top of the wagon, shelves tightly packed with jars, cans, rolls of material. The small tent which they had bought on their way out of town was laid along the floor at one side.