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           ThenheputhishandheavilyonDouglas’sshoulder."Douglas,wehaveagreatmissionforyou,son.Nowlisten..."Andhewhisperedhiswarm,friendlybreathintotheboy’sear.

           DouglasfoundAuntRose,alone,cuttingflowersinthegardenthenextafternoon.

           "AuntRose,"hesaidgravely,"whydon’twegoforawalkrightnow?I’llshowyouthebutterflyravinejustdownthatway."

           Theywalkedtogetherallaroundtown.Douglastalkedswiftly,nervously,notlookingather,listeningonlytothecourthouseclockstriketheafternoonhours.

           Strollingbackunderthewarmsummerelmstowardthehouse,AuntRosesuddenlygaspedandputherhandtoherthroat.

           There,onthebottomoftheporchstep,washerluggage,neatlypacked.Ontopofonesuitcase,flutteringinthesummerbreeze,wasapinkrailroadticket.

           Theboarders,alltenofthem,wereseatedontheporchstiffly.Grandfather,likeatrainconductor,amayor,agoodfriend,camedownthestepssolemnly.

           "Rose,"hesaidtoher,takingherhandandshakingitupanddown,"Ihavesomethingtosaytoyou."

           "Whatisit?"saidAuntRose.

           "AuntRose,"hesaid."Good-bye."

           Theyheardthetrainchantawayintothelateafternoonhours.Theporchwasempty,theluggagegone,AuntRose’sroomunoccupied.Grandfatherinthelibrary,gropedbehindE.A.Poeforasmallmedicinebottle,smiling.

           Grandmacamehomefromasolitaryshoppingexpeditiontotown.

           "Where’sAuntRose?"

           "Wesaidgood-byetoheratthestation,"saidGrandfather."Weallwept.