"Don't bother about me, my dear," she said almost in a whisper. "If you are happy, I am happy." And then she added, pretending to be comically indignant, "You stupid Dan! I've a good mind to rumple your hair! You selfish, indeed!" "I am selfish!" exclaimed Dan, looking up and thinking--just as Joshua had thought--that he had never seen her look so pretty. "I _am_ selfish, Joshua!" he cried, so energetically that Joshua was quite startled. "What would the Old Sailor say?" "But, Dan"--said Ellen. "Seriously, Jo" said Dan, putting his hand over Ellen's mouth, "what _would_ the Old Sailor say?" "The Old Sailor would be delighted." "Now, look here," said Dan, with a determination almost comical in its intensity when one considered what inspired it; as if it were a question of tremendous national consequence, or something in which mighty interests were involved; "are you sure?" "I am sure he would be delighted, Dan," replied Joshua without the slightest hesitation. "It's of no use, Dan and Josh dear," said Ellen, shaking her head. "You musn't think of it. I can't go. Mother wouldn't be able to spare me. Why, don't you know"-- "Don't I know what, Ellen?" asked Dan. "Don't you know that it's washing-day?" said Ellen with a sharp nod, as if that settled the question. Dan's head was still resting upon his hand. He pondered for a few moments, and then raising his head, said, "Good little Ellen;" and kissed her. "Now let us have breakfast." Breakfast being over, Dan said he wanted to see Susan. "Tell her I want to speak to her most particularly," he said to Ellen. "And, Ellen! when Susan comes, you go out of the room, and Joshua as well. I want to speak to her quite privately." Ellen and Joshua left Susan with Dan, and went into the passage; which gave Joshua opportunity to ask Ellen if she remembered when he used to be pushed into the coal-cellar. Yes, Ellen remembered it very well indeed; and they both laughed over the reminiscence. "How black your face used to be!" exclaimed Ellen. "And yours too, Ellen!" retorted Joshua saucily. Whereat Ellen blushed, and did not reply. What passed between Susan and Dan was never divulged. It was nothing very dreadful, you may be sure; for when Dan called to Joshua and Ellen to come in, they found him smiling. Susan was gone, but presently she entered again with a radiant face and nodded to Dan, who nodded to Susan in return, and said gayly,-- "Thank you, Susey!" When Susan went into the passage, she wiped her eyes, and did not once look round to see if any thing was behind her. That day, over the washing-tub, Susan was happier than she had been for a long time. Then Dan rubbed his hands, and said, "I really think this is going to be the happiest day of my life."