"Oh, may God bless you, my father, and bring you safely back to me!"
He unwound her arms, put her gently aside, and stepped into the carriage.
William, the cook, who was to accompany him, stood sobbing near the door, and now advancing, grasped her hand.
"Good-bye, Miss Irene. May the Lord protect you all till we come back."
"William, I look to you to take care of father, and let me know at once if anything happens."
"I will, Miss Irene. I promise you I will take good care of master, and telegraph you if he is hurt."
He wrung her hand, the carriage rolled rapidly away, and the sorrow-stricken, tearless woman sat down on the steps and dropped her head in her hands.
CHAPTER XXVII
HOSPITAL STORES