Amanda had not gone. She had gathered, while waiting at the
breakfast-table, that there was to be an expressman whom she
must receive.
Elizabeth Eliza explained the situation. The expressman turned the
key of her trunk, and she was released!
What should she do next? So long a time had elapsed, she had
given up all hope of her family returning for her. But how could
she reach them?
She hastily prevailed upon the expressman to take her along until
she should come up with some of the family. At least she would
fall in with either the walking party or the carryall, or she would
meet them if they were on their return.
She mounted the seat with the expressman, and slowly they took
their way, stopping for occasional parcels as they left the village.
But much to Elizabeth Eliza's dismay, they turned off from the
main road on leaving the village. She remonstrated, but the driver
insisted he must go round by Millikin's to leave a bedstead. They
went round by Millikin's, and then had further turns to make.
Elizabeth Eliza explained that in this way it would be impossible
for her to find her parents and family, and at last he proposed to
take her all the way with her trunk. She remembered with a
shudder that when she had first asked about her trunk, he had
promised it should certainly be delivered the next morning.
Suppose they should have to be out all night? Where did
express-carts spend the night? She thought of herself in a lone
wood, in an express-wagon! She could hardly bring herself to ask,
before assenting, when he should arrive.
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