The child is set down, and a last glance at her family signals Prudence's imminent departure. She accepts the boost and, with a little difficulty, makes it up into the saddle-- it has been a while, and it takes her a moment to adjust herself comfortably before she looks to Byerly with a nod.

The younger children follow them down the path to the gate, and a closer look at Prudence's smile betrays that she is stalwartly preventing her face from crumpling with tears; this may be the first time she's ever been away from them. Away from home at all.