Carolyn Wells

Marjorie at Seacote Carolyn Wells

"Kitty-Cat Kitty is going away, Going to Grandma's, all summer to stay. And so all the Maynards will weep and will bawl, Till Kitty-Cat Kitty comes home in the fall."This affecting ditty was being sung with great gusto by King and Marjorie, while Kitty, hermood divided between smiles and tears, was quietly appreciative. The very next day, Kitty was to start for Morristown, to spend the summer with GrandmaSherwood, and to-night the "Farewell Feast" was to be celebrated. Every year one of the Maynard children spent the summer months with their grandmother, and this year it was Kitty's turn. The visit was always a pleasant one, and greatly enjoyedby the small visitor, but there was always a wrench at parting, for the Maynard family wereaffectionate and deeply devoted to one another. The night before the departure was always celebrated by a festival of farewell, and at thisfeast tokens were presented, and speeches made, and songs sung, all of which went far todispel sad or gloomy feelings. The Maynards were fond of singing. They were willing to sing "ready-made" songs, andoften did, but they liked better to make up songs of their own, sometimes using familiartunes and sometimes inventing an air as they went along. Even if not quite in keeping withthe rules for classic music, these airs were pleasing in their own ears, and that was all thatwas necessary. So, when King and Midget composed the touching lines which head this chapter and sangthem to the tune of "The Campbells are Coming," they were so pleased that they repeatedthem many times. This served to pass pleasantly the half-hour that must yet elapse before dinner would beannounced."Well, Kit," remarked Kingdon, in a breathing pause between songs, "we'll miss you lots, o'course, but you'll have a gay old time at Grandma's. That Molly Moss is a whole team inhersel