"Oh, Miss Patch, do tell me," and throwing her warm little arms about her old friend, she began to sob, too.
But Miss Patch's self-control had given way at last, and recover herself she could not.

Jessie tried to soothe and coax her, but without effect, and she stood beside her at last hopeless, helpless.
Her brain was busy, though, and presently light came to her.
"Miss Patch," she said softly, "is it because we are all going away-- and you will be left here alone ?" Her own voice quavered at the thought.
One of Miss Patch's arms crept round Jessie and drew her close in an almost convulsive grasp.

"Yes," she whispered in a choked voice, "I can't--I can't face it--the loneliness it--it--" A sudden beautiful idea came to Jessie.

"Don't stay!" she cried impulsively, without a thought as to ways, or means, or any of the other practical points, "come home with me, come to Springbrook," she cried excitedly.

"Oh, do, do, Miss Patch, do.