"Next week, if nothing happens, we will begin to be busy with our books. You shall come to me Tuesday and Friday; and all the other days you must study as hard as you can at home; for I am very particular, I forewarn you." "But suppose Aunt Fortune should not let me come?" said Ellen, without stirring. "Oh, she will. You need not speak about it; I'll come down and ask her myself, and nobody ever refuses me anything." "I shouldn't think they would," said Ellen. "Then, don't you set the first example," said Alice, laughingly. "I ask you to be cheerful and happy, and grow wiser and better every day." "Dear Miss Alice, how can I promise that?" "Dear Ellen, it is very easy. There is One who has promised to hear and answer you when you cry to him; he will make you in his own likeness again; and to know and love him and not be happy is impossible. That blessed Saviour!" said Alice — "oh, what should you and I do without him, Ellen? 'as rivers of waters in a dry place; as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land;' — how beautiful — how true! —how often I think of that!" Ellen was silent, though entering into the feeling of the words. "Remember Him, dear Ellen; remember your best Friend. Learn more of Christ, our dear Saviour, and you can't help but be happy. Never fancy you are helpless and friendless while you have him to go to. Whenever you feel wearied and sorry, flee to the shadow of that great rock — will you? — and do you understand me?" "Yes, Ma’am — yes, Ma’am," said Ellen, as she lifted her lips to kiss her friend. Alice heartily returned the kiss, and pressing Ellen in her arms, said — "Now Ellen, dear, you _must go;_ I dare not keep you any longer. It will be too late now, I fear, before you reach home." Quick they mounted the little path again, and soon were at the house; and Ellen was putting on her things. "Next Tuesday remember, — but before that! Sunday — you are to spend Sunday with me; come bright and early." "How early?" "Oh, as early as you please — before breakfast — and our Sunday morning breakfasts aren't late, Ellen; we have to set off betimes to go to church." Kisses and good-byes; and then Ellen was running down the road at a great rate; for twilight was beginning to gather, and she had a good way to go. She ran till out of breath; then walked awhile to gather breath; then ran again. Running down hill is a pretty quick way of travelling; so before very long she saw her aunt's house at a distance. She walked now. She had come all the way in good spirits, though with a sense upon her mind of something disagreeable to come; when she saw the house, this disagreeable something swallowed up all her thoughts, and she walked leisurely on, pondering what she had to do, and what she was like to meet in the doing of it.