Ellen laughed at the tumble-down condition of the house, as thus pointed out to her, and set about reforming it. It was Thursday afternoon that Alice and Ellen were left alone in the library, several of the family having been called out to receive some visitors; Alice had excused herself, and Ellen, as soon as they were gone, nestled up to her side. "How pleasant it is to be alone together, dear Alice! — I don't have you even at night now." "It is very pleasant, dear Ellie! Home will not look disagreeable again, will it, even after all our gaiety here?" "No indeed! — at least, _your_ home won't — I don't know what mine will. O me! I had almost forgotten Aunt Fortune!" "Never mind, dear Ellie! You and I have each something to bear — we must be brave, and bear it manfully. There is a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother, you know. We shan't be unhappy if we do our duty and love Him." "How soon is Mr. John going away?" "Not for all next week. And so long as he stays, I do not mean that you shall leave me." Ellen cried for joy. "I can manage it with Miss Fortune, I know," said Alice. "These fine drawing lessons must not be interrupted. John is very much pleased with your performances." "Is he?" said Ellen delighted. "I have taken all the pains I could." "That is the sure way to success, Ellie. But, Ellie, I want to ask you something. What was that you said to Margaret Dunscombe about wanting money for a New Year's present?" "You know it, then!" cried Ellen, starting up. "Oh, I'm so glad! I wanted to speak to you about it, so I didn't know what to do, and I thought I oughtn't to. What shall I do about it, dear Alice? How did you know? George said you were not there." "Mrs. Chauncey told me; she thought there had been some mistake, or something wrong; — how was it, Ellen?" "Why," said Ellen, "she was showing us her ear-rings, and asking us what we thought of them, and she asked me if I wouldn't like to have such a pair; and I thought I would a great deal rather have the money they cost, to buy other things with, you know, that I would like better; and I said so; and just then Mr. Marshman came in, and she called out to him, loud, that I wanted money for a present, or would like it better than anything else, or something like that. Oh, Alice, how I felt! I was frightened; — but then I hoped Mr. Marshman did not hear her, for he did not say anything; but the next day George told me all about what she had been saying in there, and oh! it made me so unhappy!" said poor Ellen, looking very dismal. "What _will_ Mr. Marshman think of me? He will think I expected a present, and I never _dreamed_ of such a thing! It makes me ashamed to speak of it, even; and I _can't bear_ he should think so — I can't bear it! What shall I do, dear Alice?" "I don't know what you can do, dear Ellie; but be patient — Mr. Marshman will not think anything very hard of you, I dare say."