Bess on Her Own in Canada

“Are you sure you can manage, Bess? I don’t like having you go like this, but . . .”The slim, fifteen-year-old looked down from the height of her five foot six inches into the troubled eyes of her mother, who came just beyond her shoulder. “I’ll say I can! I’d be a disgrace to us all if I couldn’t! Besides, who else is there to go? I don’t see Peter or Stuart managing, do you?”Mrs Mackinnon gave a worried laugh. “Oh, it can’t be helped; I know that. Just the same, I wish there were anyone else to send. I shan’t have an easy moment until you get back again, so don’t delay unless you just can’t help it.”