They bent themselves against the steep hill again, and pressed on. As they rose higher, they felt it grow more cold and bleak; the woods gave them less shelter, and the wind swept round the mountain head and over them with great force, making their way quite difficult. "Courage, Ellen!" said Alice, as they struggled on; "we shall soon be there." "I wonder," said the panting Ellen, as, making an effort, she came up alongside of Alice — "I wonder why Mrs. Vawse will live in such a disagreeable place." "It is not disagreeable to her, Ellen; though I must say I should not like to have _too_ much of this wind." "But does she really like to live up here better than down below, where it is warmer? — and all alone, too?" "Yes, she does. Ask her why, Ellen, and see what she will tell you. She likes it so much better, that this little cottage was built on purpose for her, near ten years ago, by a good old friend of hers, a connection of the lady whom she followed to this country." "Well," said Ellen, "she must have a queer taste — that is all I can say." They were now within a few easy steps of the house, which did not look so uncomfortable when they came close to it. It was small and low, of only one story, though it is true the roof ran up very steep to a high and sharp gable. It was perched so snugly, in a niche of the hill, that the little yard was completely sheltered with a high wall of rock. The house itself stood out more boldly, and caught pretty well near all the winds that blew; but so, Alice informed Ellen, the inmate liked to have it. "And that roof," said Alice, — "she begged Mr. Marshman when the cottage was building, that the roof might be high and pointed; she said her eyes were tired with the low roofs of this country, and if he would have it made so it would be a great relief to them." The odd roof Ellen thought was pretty. But they now reached the door, protected with a deep porch. Alice entered, and knocked at the other door. They were bade to come in. A woman was there stepping briskly back and forth before a large spinning-wheel. She half turned her head to see who the comers were, then stopped her wheel instantly, and came to meet them with open arms. "Miss Alice! Dear Miss Alice, how glad I am to see you!" "And I you, dear Mrs. Vawse," said Alice, kissing her. "Here's another friend you must welcome for my sake — little Ellen Montgomery." "I am very glad to see Miss Ellen," said the old woman, kissing her also; and Ellen did not shrink from the kiss, so pleasant were the lips that tendered it; so kind and frank the smile, so winning the eye; so agreeable the whole air of the person. She turned from Ellen again to Miss Alice. "It's a long while that I have not seen you, dear — not since you went to Mrs. Marshman's. And what a day you have chosen to come at last!" "I can't help that," said Alice, pulling off her bonnet, — "I couldn't wait any longer. I wanted to see you dolefully, Mrs. Vawse."