I was highly pleased with my school at Mill Town.  My pupils were mostly girls between the ages of ten and fifteen years.  I had one class of quite young boys, whose parents preferred a select to a public school.

Many years have passed since I was wont to summon those loved pupils around me in that little school-room.  Since that period, when far removed from those scenes, and surrounded by circumstances widely different, memory oft recalled those pupils in that New England village.

About this time I received a letter from Aunt Patience.  The letter informed me that her health was somewhat impaired, and that she sensibly felt the approaching infirmities of age.  I knew not her exact age, but I was certain that she must be considerably advanced in years.  She stated that she was quite happy in her home, but added,—­

“My Dear Clara, I had thought to have ended my days with your dear mother; and when the thought comes home to my mind, that she is now no more, it makes me very sad.”

I was happy to know that, owing to the provision made for her, Aunt Patience enjoyed all the comforts of life.  Since her removal to Massachusetts we had not often corresponded; but, as often as I did write, I enclosed a small sum from my own earnings, lest the interest of the deposit should prove insufficient for all her wants.

My mother left with me the injunction that, should my own life be spared, never to forget Aunt Patience in her old age:  and I would cheerfully have endured any privation myself, if, by so doing, I could have added to her happiness; for the injunction of my dying mother I regarded as most sacred.

I closed my school for the summer holidays, and I was, as well as my pupils, glad to be released from the school-room during the sultry weather which prevails in the month of August.

CHAPTER XV.

A HAPPY RE-UNION.

Upon my return home, my uncle said he thought I should enjoy a change of air and scene for a time as he fancied I was looking pale and thin.  I replied that I felt quite well, and felt no wish to leave my home during vacation.

However, about this time, a party was formed among my acquaintances for visiting the White Mountains, and they were anxious that I should make one of their number; and, as my uncle and aunt strongly advised me to go, I at length consented.

The sublime scenery of the White Mountains has been so often and so ably described by tourists, that any description from me would be superfluous.  Upon our arrival at the Profile House, we found it so much crowded with guests that we had no little difficulty in obtaining accommodation.  When one party left, the vacancy was almost immediately filled up by fresh arrivals of pleasure-seekers.  Every one seemed highly to enjoy themselves, and time passed swiftly away.