She waved good-by to her Grandmother and Grandfather as long as she could see them—­which wasn’t very long for the train pulled away so quickly from the little station where the Merrills got on; and then she turned to her mother and said, “now let’s talk about something quick.”

“Very well,” said Mrs. Merrill, “I was just wanting to do that.  Let’s talk about what you are going to do this winter.”

“Do this winter?” exclaimed Mary Jane in surprise, “I’m going to do just like I always do.  I’m going to play with my dolls and play with Doris and sometimes with Junior and help you and everything like I do, Mother.”

“Think so, dear?” asked Mrs. Merrill, “how old are you?”

“I’m five,” answered Mary Jane in surprise.

“Five and a little more than a quarter,” corrected Mrs. Merrill, “and seems to me that’s big enough to be going to kindergarten.  What do you think?”

“Oh, is it, Mother?” exclaimed Mary Jane happily, “am I really big enough?”

“I’m afraid my little girl is growing up,” said Mrs. Merrill with half a sigh, “and that she ought to go to school.  What do you think, Father?”

“I think she’ll like it and that she ought to go,” said Mr. Merrill promptly; “suppose we start her the first of October?”

So it was settled that Mary Jane was to go to kindergarten.  They made plans and talked till the porter came through the car and called, “First call for luncheon!  First call for luncheon!  Diner in the rear of the train!” And then they all went through the train to the diner and Mary Jane ate her first meal on the train.

And if you want to know about what Mary Jane did after she got home from her summer trip; and about all the fun and good times she had after she started to kindergarten, you must read—­

MARY JANE IN KINDERGARTEN