In three weeks, the day came for Edward's departure.

A great cake and a parcel of gingerbread soothed his sorrows on leaving home.
"Don't cry, Maggie!" said he to her on the last morning; "you see I don't.
Christmas will soon be here, and I dare say I shall find time to write to you now and then.

Did Nancy put any citron in the cake ?" Maggie wished she might accompany her mother to Combehurst to see Edward off by the coach; but it was not to be.

She went with them, without her bonnet, as far as her mother would allow her; and then she sat down, and watched their progress for a long, long way.

She was startled by the sound of a horse's feet, softly trampling through the long heather.