Upon this, Mr. Van Brunt began to talk about its being time to go, if they were going. But his mother insisted that Ellen should stay where she was; she said she was not fit to go home that night, that she oughtn't to walk a step, and that " 'Brahm" should go and tell Miss Fortune the child was safe and well, and would be with her early in the morning. Mr. Van Brunt shook his head two or three times, but finally agreed, to Ellen's great joy. When he came back, she was sitting on the floor before the fire, with all the five kittens in her lap, and the old mother cat walking around and over her and them. But she looked up with a happier face then he had ever seen her wear, and told him she was "_so_ much obliged to him for taking such a long walk for her;" and Mr. Van Brunt felt that, like his oxen, he could have done a great deal more with pleasure. CHAPTER XIII. Hope deferred. Before the sun was up the next morning, Mrs. Van Brunt came into Ellen's room, and aroused her. "It's a real shame to wake you up," she said, "when you were sleeping so finely; but 'Brahm wants to be off to his work, and won't stay for breakfast. Slept sound, did you?" "Oh, yes, indeed; as sound as a top," said Ellen, rubbing her eyes; "I am hardly awake yet." "I declare it's too bad," said Mrs. Van Brunt — "but there's no help for it. You don't feel no headache, do you, nor pain in your bones?" "No, Ma’am, not a bit of it; I feel nicely." "Ah! well," said Mrs. Van Brunt, "then your tumble into the brook didn't do you any mischief; I thought it wouldn't. Poor little soul!" "I am very glad I did fall in," said Ellen; "for if I hadn't I shouldn't have come here, Mrs. Van Brunt." The old lady instantly kissed her. "Oh! mayn't I just take one look at the kitties?" said Ellen, when she was ready to go. "Indeed you shall," said Mrs. Van Brunt, "if 'Brahm's hurry was ever so much; and it ain't, besides. Come here, dear." She took Ellen back to a waste lumber-room, where, in a corner, on some old pieces of carpet, lay pussy and her family. How fondly Ellen's hand was passed over each little soft back! how hard it was for her to leave them! "Wouldn't you like to take one home with you, dear?" said Mrs. Van Brunt, at length. "Oh! may I?" said Ellen, looking up in delight; "are you in earnest? oh, thank you, dear Mrs. Van Brunt! oh, I shall be so glad!" "Well, choose one then, dear — choose the one you like best, and 'Brahm shall carry it for you." The choice was made, and Mrs. Van Brunt and Ellen returned to the kitchen, where Mr. Van Brunt had already been waiting some time. He shook his head when he saw what was in the basket his mother handed to him. "That won't do," said be; "I can't go that, mother. I'll undertake to see Miss Ellen safe home, but the cat 'ud be more than I could manage. I think I'd hardly get off with a whole skin 'tween the one and t'other." "Well, now!" said Mrs. Van Brunt.