Sara says goodbye to Ashfield, promising to return, while Becky stays behind to spend some extra time with her family, promising to return to London in the fall.
The month passed quickly, and Sara knew that she must return to London soon enough as July turned to August. Her last night at the Morris family cottage, she reluctantly packed her things with Becky's help. However, Sara noticed Becky did not pack her bag.
"I told Mr. Carrisford I might stay home for another month or so. I asked Ma about it too, and she said it's alright... I wanted to stay a little while longer, cause last year we were in India. But I don't know if I can leave you." Sensing Becky was on the verge of tears, Sara hugged her, "Of course you can stay. I'll be alright for a month without you."
"But... but won't you be all alone?" Becky remembered having to leave Sara all alone at the hands of their former jailers, still feeling guilty for it so long after. But as Sara pointed out, "I won't be all alone this time, Becky. I'll have Uncle Tom, Ram Dass and Peter... and Ermengarde and Lottie and the other girls will come to visit often enough. And we can write to each other every day." Sara opened her bag, and gave her copy of Heidi to Becky. "You can read it to the little ones. A month isn't forever. It'll scarcely seem a week when you come back to me."
Becky sniffled, "Oh, Sara..." and hugged her tight.
The next morning, Mrs. Morris packed Sara a lunch for the train ride back to London, as the smaller children clung to Sara, begging her not to go.
"Now, now, don't be sad. I'll come back to visit you all soon." She kissed each child's cheeks as she stood up and looked at Mrs. Morris and Granny. she bowed politely, "Thank you for having me this month, Aunt Clara." Mrs. Morris smiled, "You're welcome back anytime, Sara. I've packed you a lunch for the trip back to London." Mrs. Morris handed the basket to Sara. Sara took it and thanked her heartily.
"Now, now, with all this talking, you'll miss your train." Granny gave Sara another parcel. As she explained, "It was so hard to keep it a surprise. But we all hope you like what we got you." Sara hugged her too, "Thank you, Granny..." Becky came into the room, carrying Sara's bag, "Are you ready? It's a long walk to the station." Sara nodded and left with Becky, taking her hand as the Morris family waved good-bye to their new friend (and honorary member of the family).
It took quite a long walk to get to the station, but Sara and Becky gaily chatted away. They all caught the attention of several of the grown-ups and children, who all gave a heartfelt goodbye to the girl. Sara, never one to be impolite, returned their goodbyes with just as much emotion, promising to come back at Christmastime.
At last, they made it to the station, but the train hadn't arrived yet, so Becky waited patiently with Sara, as they said their goodbyes to each other.
"Sara?"
"Yes?"
"A month isn't too long, right?"
"A month certainly isn't as long as a year."
"Of course... Still, I... I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too." They embraced in a tight hug as the train slowly inched toward the station. "It'll be alright. Like I said, I won't be all alone this time. And you'll come back to me soon enough."
"I know. I'll write every day. Twice a day!" Sara couldn't help smiling and gave her friend a kiss on the cheek, "I'll write just as often, Becky." Slowly, the train pulled into the small station. Sara got on, alone, as the conductor helped her into the car. Slowly, passengers came in, and as the last passenger stepped on, the whistle screamed out. Sara happened to sit in a window seat, and saw Becky waving her off. Sara returned the gesture, waving until Ashfield Station was nothing more than a blip on the horizon.
At last, Sara sat down, sighing out. Because of her early rising time that day, she didn't feel up to breakfast due to nerves, but now found herself somewhat peckish. Remembering the bundle Mrs. Morris packed, she opened it, but it was the gift bundle that Granny had given her. Inside were a small wooden rabbit from Teddy, a somewhat patchwork mouse pincushion with a few pins already stuck (no doubt meant to be the eyes and nose) from Martha, and a nosegay tied together with a white ribbon, not sure if this gift is from from either Mrs. Morris or Maudie. Even the wrapping was a gift, as it was a shawl from Granny. Sara couldn't help but smile at this gift bundle. "They really do care about me..."
Sara arrived at the London train station shortly before sundown, where Ram Dass was there to greet her. She leaped to great him in a hug, propriety be darned, and had fallen asleep on the carriage ride back. Mr. Carrisford decided it best to let Sara sleep, as train rides seemed to wear out her little body. A few maids dressed her for bed, and Sara slept through supper. Mr. Carrisford then ordered that if Sara woke in the middle of the night, a light supper should be brought up to her.
At two in the morning, Sara finally awoke, the moon shining its soft light onto her serene face. She sat up and walked to Becky's attached room, a little saddened she wasn't there under the quilt as she usually was. Still, Sara knew she would return soon enough. "I'll just have to be patient," She thought as she walked to her desk, sitting down in the chair, and stared at the old pin cushion Becky had made for her, and smiled. Then took out her mahogany letter set, and set out a piece of lined paper, contemplating what to write. After several minutes of intense thought, Sara started the letter with the greeting: "My dearest Becky..."
it's the final chapter of this fic. I really did enjoy writing it.
I came up with Becky's last name based on Sara's last name of the Italian dub, which was Morris. It really struck me as odd that Becky has no last name in the anime despite having a family, but it makes sense in the book, since it's implied she's an orphan that came from the workhouse.