The Wide, Wide World

r, what time do you m

to go to bed with a c

Henr

Ellen did not wish herself back in the coach, although she continued to stand and gaze after it as it rattled off at a great rate down the little street, its huge body lumbering up and down every now and then, reminding her of sundry uncomfortable jolts; till the horses making a sudden turn to the right, it disappeared round a corner. Still for a minute Ellen watched the whirling cloud of dust it had left behind; but then the feeling of strangeness and loneliness came over

looks at Ellen, evidently wondering who she was and what she could want there. Ellen saw it, and hoped he would ask her in words, for she could not answer his looks of curiosity, but she was disappointed. As he reached the end of the piazza, and gave his broom two or three knocks against the e

e, sir," said poor Ellen,

said he; "what

m Thirlwall." Eyeing Ellen from head to foot, the man t

Mr. Forbes! do you know

a big red face and a big round body, showing

t lives a little

rson? yes, I know

been here

, not as I've seen or he

little

closed Ellen to the view of the red-faced lan

ith Miss Fortune, l

ould meet me here

ve you co

New

down just now," p

iss Fortune would

as to meet me an

e you going to Mis

s,

belong to her

d Ellen, "but

your

ir; my fath

u ben't the daughter of M

said Ellen,

to make a visit to

Ellen, smili

shabby of her; and how to get you down there to-night, I a

dlady, appearing in the doorway, which she fill

ry's daughter come to pay a visit to her aunt, Fortun

didn't answer him. She only looked at Ellen, looked grave, and gave a q

e world I can take the child down there to-night. The horses are both out to plough, you know; and besides, the tire is come off that waggon

er little shake of her head; "but whether it wou

fe? Keep the child over nigh

n take the child home with him. Sam!" shouted Mrs. Forbes; "Sam! here!-Sam, run up street directly, and see if you see Mr. Van Brunt's ox-cart standing anywhere-I dare say he's at Mr.

am to the door, and cast an ex

in't gone home. Come in here; come in here, dear, and make yourself comfortable; it'll be a while

a low chair for her on the hearth, but herself remained standing by the side of the fire, looking earnestly and with a good deal of interest upon the little

good while with Miss Fo

,-yes, I believe so,

er?" asked Mrs. Forbes

the sore spot. Her head sank on her hands, and "Oh, mamma!" w

dear; you're as pale as a sheet; you're tired, I know-ain't you; now cheer up,

head, but could

she had taken to comfort Ellen; "you want something to eat,-that's the matter. I'll warrant you're

rn; and she was besides, as Mrs. Forbes opined, both tired and faint. But she did not wish to be found w

of bread in the other, which she placed on the kitchen table

y, and so there was, but Mr. Forbes must have got hold of it, for it ain't there now; and there ain't

but said she did

ou're as pale as I don't know what. Come! this'll put

d Ellen, "but I'm not hungry." She

it of cream off. You don't get such milk as that in the city, I guess. That's righ

, ma

nd ma up to Thirlwall

ma'

come for; but the shade that had passed over her face as she answered the

unt expect y

t know,-she was to have met

o matter; you'll get home just as well. Mr. Van Brunt will

ood landlady dared not ask what she wanted to know, for fear of again exciting the sorrow of her little companion. She contented herself with looki

ceiling, when a door at the other end of the room opened, and "Good day, Mrs. Forbes," in a rough but not unpleasant voice, brought her head quickly round in that direction. There stood a large, strong-built man, with an ox-whip in his hand. He was well-made and rather

his personage; "Sam said you wa

aid the landlady, rising; "you've g

our, and then the near ox had lost both his fore shoes off, and I had to go over there, an

the cart, have you?

ad no shorts nor fresh flour, nor won't til

e. She's a daughter of Captain Montgomery, Miss Fortune's brother, you know. She came by the stage a

atched his head with the other, he examined Ellen from head to foot; much as if she had bee

now but she can; but there ain't noth

said Mrs. Forbes. "Is there any

a b

ou get her trunk into the cart, will you,

to wear the singular, doubtful expression it had put on at first hearing the news. Ellen's trunk was quickly hoisted in, however; and Mrs. Forbes presently appeared with a little armchair, which Mr. Van Brunt

ly! run up and fetch me that piece of carpet you'll find lying at the top of the back-stairs. Now, hurry! Now, Mr. V

n't get hold of them?" answered the

ust spread this carpet down nicely under her chair, and then she'll be fixed. Now, my darling, y

f the wheel, and then to the edge of the cart, Ellen was at length safely stowed in her place. Kind Mrs. Forbes then stretched herself up over the side of the cart to shake hands with her and bid her good-bye, telling her ag

ack to her husband, "that is the deares

nd, "I reckon Miss Fort

s' face, and with another little grave sh

steamer. Ellen did not know at first whether to like or dislike it; but she came to the conclusion that it was very funny, and a remarkably amusing way of getting along. There was one disadvantage about

evel, and sometimes with a soft, wavy surface, where Ellen thought it must be charming to run up and down. Every now and then these were varied by a little rising ground capped with a piece of woodland; and beautiful trees, many of them, were seen standing alone, especially by the roadside. All had a cheerful, pleasant look. The houses were very scattered; in the whole way they passed but few. Ellen's heart regularly began to beat when they came in sight of one, and "I wonder if that is Aunt Fortune's house!"-"Perhaps it is!"-or "I hope it is not!" were the thoughts that rose in her mind. But slowly the oxen brought her abreast of the houses, one after another, and slowly they passed on beyond, and there was no sign of getting home yet. Their way was through pleasant lanes towards the south, but constantly approaching the hills. About half a mile from Thirlwal

," said he to Ellen, "they will take the

please!" said Ellen in a

out touching anything. "I have seen critters that would take any quantity of whipping to make t

ch Ellen eyed her rough charioteer, no

rst time you ever rid i

len; "I never

en an ox-cart! Well,

ve we much further to go before

e that mountain over there?" pointing with his whip to

said

that lay some two miles further south; "Miss Fortune's house

n, who for the most part kept on their steady way without any reminder. But

, "it only lets them know that I'm here, and they must

said

perate attempt at being complimentary,

xtraordinary efforts at sociability. Having quite exhausted himself, he now mounted into the cart and sat silent, only now and then uttering energetic "Gee's

adness. They carried her right back to the last evening, when she was walking up the hill with Timmins; she remembered her anger against Mrs. Dunscombe, and her kind friend's warning not to indulge it, and all his teaching that day; and tears came with the thought, how glad she should be to hear him speak to her again. Still looking up at the beautiful quiet stars, she thought of her dear far-off mother, how long it was already since she had seen her; faster and faster the tears dropped; and then she thought of that glorious One who had made the stars, and was above them all, and who could and did see her mother and her, though ever so far apart, and could hear a

breeze would have gone through and through Ellen's nankeen coat. As it was she began to be chilly, when Mr. Van Brunt,

y we've got to go now," said

air, she strove to pierce the darkness on either hand of her, to see whereabouts the house stood, and how things looked. She could d

Van Brunt after a few minute

ating violently. Presently Mr. Van Brunt jumped down and opened a gate at the side of the road; and with a great deal of

ound, "and late enough! You must be tired of that little arm-chair

de of the cart, and taking her in his arms her rough cha

ou can run right in; do

len, "I can't

d I'll show you. Here-you're ru

wicket, which Ellen man

nder, and open it, and you'll see where to go.

ht of a path seemed to lead onward from where she stood. With unsteady steps Ellen pursued it till her foot struck against the stone before the door. Her trembling fingers found the latch, lifted it, and she entered. All

able was set, and with its snow-white tablecloth and shining furniture, looked very comfortable indeed. But the only person there was an old woman, sitting by the side of the fire, with her back towards Ellen. She seemed

a flight of stairs which led down from the kitchen. She came in, shutting the door behind her with her foot; and indeed,

do you leave the door op

lamp in hand, and setting her back

u? and what

omery, ma'am," sa

he lady, with

ma'am?" said Ellen; "pa

aid Miss Fortune, apparently force

'am," sa

ter and the lamp in their places. "Did you say

would, ma'am

ike him! I never yet knew Morgan Montgom

and her heart swelled.

get down he

an Brunt's ox-ca

at that instant a noise outside, Miss Fortune swept to the door, sa

y; she did not feel enough at home to comply

s Fortune at the door, "have yo

of Ellen's charioteer, "I've brou

er?" said Miss Fortun

t For

ve you g

Where is

pstairs; but how it is ever to g

I'll engage, if you'll be so good

With your shoes!" said Miss Fortune

with a half giggle, as Ellen heard the shoes kick

an Brunt and the trunk out of the kitchen and up, Ellen saw not whith

r. Van Brunt," said the

late; must hurry home." And

late?" asked Mis

ieve Mr. Van Brunt said th

utes in silence, setting some things

o the table. You must be hungry by this time. It's a good

to her, and now, for the first time, the old lady seemed to know that she was in the room. She looked at her very attent

old lady presently of Miss

's daughter,"

hter! Has Morg

emember I told you a month ago

Morgan's daughter," she repeated to herself softly; "she's a pretty litt

kissed her affectionately. "That's your grandmother, El

f. Ellen's heart had been brimful and ready to run over for some time, but the tears could not come then. They did not now, till she had undressed and laid her weary little body on the bed; then they broke forth in an agony. "She did not kiss me! she didn't