"No more than you could without a heart and lungs." "I am very glad to know that," said Ellen. "Then how is it with the evergreens, Miss Alice? Why don't their leaves die and drop off too?" "They do; look how the ground is carpeted under that pine tree." "But they stay green all winter, don't they?" "Yes; their leaves are fitted to resist frost; I don't know what the people in cold countries would do else. They have the fate of all other leaves, however; they live awhile, do their work, and then die; not all at once, though; there is always a supply left on the tree. Are we rested enough to begin again?" "I am," said Ellen; "I don't know about the Captain. Poor fellow! he's fast asleep. I declare it's too bad to wake you up, pussy. Haven't we had a pleasant little rest, Miss Alice? I have learnt something while we have been sitting here." "_That_ is pleasant, Ellen," said Alice, as they began their upward march--"I would I might be all the while learning something." "But you have been teaching, Miss Alice, and that's as good. Mamma used to say it is more blessed to give than to receive." "Thank you, Ellen," said Alice, smiling; "that ought to satisfy me certainly." 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'll 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 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 storey, 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 likes to have it.