The Wide, Wide World

pring of lo

d angel lea

teach thee s

birds in las

gfel

rd papa saying to you this

w. Ellen, pick up that sha

ou cold in th

. Now, my daughter, let me be

gers plashed through the water, and the horses and carriages plashed through the mud; gaiety had forsaken the side-walks, and equipages were few, and the people that were out were plainly there only because they could not help it. But yet Ellen, having seriously set herself t

and marched off quick, the light glancing on his wet oil-skin hat, rough greatcoat and lantern, and on the pavement and iron railings. The veriest moth could not have followed the light with more perseverance than did Ellen's eyes-till the lamplighter gradually disappeared from view, and the last lamp she could see was lit; and not till then did it occur to her that there was such a place as indoors. She took her face from the window. The room was dark and cheerless; and Ellen felt stiff and chilly. However, she made her way to the fire, and having found the poker, she applied it gently to the Liverpool coal with such good effect that a bright ruddy blaze sprang up and

and with the half-acknowledged intent to rouse her at all events, Ellen knelt down by her side and laid her face close to her mother's on the pillow. But this failed to draw either word or sign. Aft

bed you, mamma, h

gesture which Ellen knew meant that she was making up her mind to some disagreeable or painful effort. Then taking both Ellen's hands, as she still knelt before her, s

t you were asking me a

lling you this morning, or yesterd

n-he has lost it," sai

, mamma?-does

overmuch about the gain or the loss of money. I believ

, why are yo

t this principle in other matters, an

, dear mother? What

us more trouble than ever I thought a

, ma

ays he is too poor now to stay here any longer; and he has agre

s been away a great deal before, and

or thinks too, that it is very important

ma? And do yo

I must, my

leave me

her, and hiding her face in her lap gave way to a violent burst of grief that seemed for a few moments as if it would rend soul and body in twain. For her passions were by nature very strong, and by education very imperfectly controlled; and time, "that rider that breaks youth," had not a

; Captain Montgomery urged that it was better to submit to a temporary separation than to cling obstinately to her child for a few months and then leave her for ever; said he must himself go speedily to France, and that now was her best opportunity; assuring her, however, that his circumstances would not permit him to take Ellen along, but that she would be secure of a happy home with his sister during her mother's absence; and to the pressure of argument Ca

he had foreseen and endeavoured to prepare herself for Ellen's anguish; but nature was too s

t immediately regain her composure. But Ellen's deep sobs at length fairly alarmed her; she saw the necessity,

not right. Remember, my darling, who it is that brings th

that and the mute pressure o

lf. Remember, dear Ellen, God sends no trouble upon His children but in love;

er," sobbed Ellen; "b

readily to the truth of Ellen's words

ry to compose yourself. I am afraid you will m

herself, ceased sobbing, wiped her eyes, arose from her crouching posture, and seating herself on the sofa by her mother and laying her head on her bosom, she listened quietly to all the soothing words and cheering considerations with which Mrs. Montgomery endeavour

he tiny little teapot, which was just big enough to hold two cups of tea, and having poured a very little boiling water to it, she used to set it by the side of the fire while she made half a slice of toast. How careful Ellen was about that toast! The bread must not be cut too thick nor too thin; the fire must, if possible, burn clear and bright, and she herself held the bread on a fork, just at the right distance from the coals to get nicely browned without burning. When this was done to her satisfaction (and if the first piece failed she would take another), she filled up the little teapot from the boiling kettle, and pro

d make the tea. So Ellen made it, and then began the toast. But she began to think too, as she watched it, how few more times she would be able to do so-how soon her pleasant tea-makings would be over-and the desolate feeling of separation began to come upon her before the time. These thoughts were too much for poor Ellen; the thick tears gathered so fast she could not see what she was doing; and she had no more than just turned the slice of bread on t

en's agitation. She lay in suffering silence; till after some time

g her mother, assured her most sincerely and resolutely that she would not do so again. In a few minutes she was calm enough to finish making the tea,

is, till the clock struck ten. "You had better

ll, m

can read me a litt

nd Ellen brought the bo

nty-thir

gh it steadily and slowly, tho

my shepherd; I

n green pastures; He leadeth

adeth me in the paths of righ

ow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art

e presence of mine enemies; Thou anointe

me all the days of my life, and I will

he said to herself. She did not dare look up till the traces of tears had passed away; then she saw that her mother was asl

ss upon her forehead, and stole quietly