"Not a drop. Is this what you use to warm things in? Never mind, it has had gruel in it; I'll set the tin pail on the fire; it won't hurt it." "I am so much obliged to you," said Ellen, "for do you know, I have got quite tired of gruel, and panada I can't bear." "Then I am very glad I brought it." While it was warming Alice washed Ellen's gruel cup and spoon, and presently she had the satisfaction of seeing Ellen eating the broth with that keen enjoyment none know but those that have been sick and are getting well. She smiled to see her gaining strength almost in the very act of swallowing. "Ellen," said she presently, "I have been considering your dressing-table. It looks rather doleful. I'll make you a present of some dimity, and when you come to see me you shall make a cover for it that will reach down to the floor and hide those long legs." "That wouldn't do at all," said Ellen; "Aunt Fortune would go off into all sorts of fits." "What about?" "Why, the washing, Miss Alice--to have such a great thing to wash every now and then. You can't think what a fuss she makes if I have more than just so many white clothes in the wash every week." "That's too bad," said Alice. "Suppose you bring it up to me--it wouldn't be often--and I'll have it washed for you, if you care enough about it to take the trouble." "Oh, indeed I do!" said Ellen; "I should like it very much, and I'll get Mr. Van Brunt to--no, I can't, Aunt Fortune won't let me. I was going to say I would get him to saw off the legs and make it lower for me, and then my dressing-box would stand so nicely on the top. Maybe I can yet. Oh, I never showed you my boxes and things." Ellen brought them all out and displayed their beauties. In the course of going over the writing-desk she came to the secret drawer and a little money in it. "Oh, that puts me in mind," she said. "Miss Alice, this money is to be spent for some poor child. Now, I've been thinking that Nancy has behaved so to me I should like to give her something to show her that I don't feel unkindly about it; what do you think would be a good thing?" "I don't know, Ellen; I'll take the matter into consideration." "Do you think a Bible would do?" "Perhaps that would do as well as anything; I'll think about it." "I should like to do it very much," said Ellen, "for she has vexed me wonderfully." "Well, Ellen, would you like to hear my other pieces of news? or have you no curiosity?" "Oh yes, indeed," said Ellen; "I had forgotten it entirely; what is it, Miss Alice?" "You know I told you one concerns only myself, but it is great news to me. I learnt this morning that my brother will come to spend the holidays with me. It is many months since I have seen him." "Does he live far away?" said Ellen. "Yes; he has gone far away to pursue his studies, and cannot come home often. The other piece of news is that I intend, if you have no objection, to ask Miss Fortune's leave to have you spend the holidays with me too."