noon
Going away from home for the first long stay , however bright the new place of sojourn , brings to most hearts an undercurrent of sadness . She smiled a bit wistfully at her few treasures -- her books , an old picture of her mother , the little Testament Aunt Maria gave her to read , the few trinkets her school friends had given her from time to time , a little kodak picture of Mother Bab and David in the flower garden . At last the dreary task was done , the trunk strapped , and she was ready for the journey . It was a perfect September day when she left the gray farmhouse , drove in the country road and stood with her father , Aunt Maria , Mother Bab , David and Phares at the railroad station in Greenwald and waited for the noon train to Philadelphia . Jacob Metz and the preacher made brave , though visible , efforts to be cheerful ; Maria Metz made no effort to be anything except very greatly worried and anxious ; but Mother Bab and David were determined that the girl 's departure was to be nothing less than pleasant . `` Now be sure , Phœbe , '' said Aunt Maria for the tenth time , `` to ask the conductor at Reading if that train is for Phildelphy before you get on , and at Phildelphy you wait till Miss Lee fetches you . '' `` Yes , Aunt Maria , I 'll be careful . ''