Marion was entirely in sympathy with him, and eager for work in the way in which he pointed out.  It was an enjoyable afternoon in every respect.  But to “our girls” it was much more than that, it was an education.  Every one of them got ideas which they were eager to put in practice; and they saw their ways clear to practise them to some purpose.  When the service was over, and the audience moved away, a sense of sadness and lonliness began to creep over many, snatches of remark could be heard on all sides.

“Where is Dr. Fowler?”

“Gone:  went this morning.”

“Where is the Miller party?”

“Oh, they went some time ago.”

“When did the president leave?”

“It’s all about ‘go,’” Eurie said:  “Look!  How they are crowding down to the boat; and only a stray one now and then coming up from there.  Who would have supposed it could make us feel so forlorn?  I am glad we are not to be at the morning meeting.  I am not sure but I should cry of homesickness.  I say, girls, let’s go to Palestine.”

Which suggestion was greeted with delight, and they immediately went.  A great many were of the same mind.  Mr. Vanlennep in full Turkish dress, was leading the way, and giving his familiar lecture on the—­to him—­familiar spots.  The girls stood near him by the sea of Galilee, and heard his tender farewell words, and his hope that they would all meet on the other side of Jordon.  It was hard to keep back the quiet tears from falling.

They climbed Mount Hermon in silence, and looked over at Mount Lebanon, they came back by the way of Cesarea, and turned aside to take a last look at Joppa, down by the sea.  In almost total silence this walk back was accomplished.  What was the matter with them all?

Mr. Roberts had joined them, and he and Flossy walked on ahead.  But their voices were subdued and their subject—­to judge from their faces, quieting, to say the least.  Then they all went to take their last supper at Chautauqua.  Not one of them grumbled over anything.  Indeed, they all agreed that the board had certainly improved very much during the last few days, and that it was really remarkable that such a throng of people could have been served so promptly and courteously, and on the whole, so well, as had been done there.  Still, it was strange to have plenty of elbow room, and to see the waiters moving leisurely up and down the long halls; no one in haste, no one kept waiting.

As they rose from table, a gentleman passed through; they had passed each other every day for a week; they had no idea what his name was, and I suppose he knew as little about them.  But he paused before them: 

“Good-bye,” he said.  And held out his hand, “I hope we shall all meet at the assembly up there!”

“Good-bye,” they answered, and they shook hands.  None of them smiled, none of them thought it strange; though they had never been introduced!  It was the Chautauqua brotherhood of feeling.  But after two weeks of experience and much practice in that line, it was impossible to rid onesself of the feeling that one must hurry down to the stand in order to secure seats; so they hurried, and had a new experience; they were among the first twenty on the ground.