"You mustn't get vexed so easily, my child. Don't let every little untoward thing roughen your temper." "But I couldn't help it, dear Miss Alice; it was about you. I don't know whether I ought to tell you; but I don't think you'll mind it, and I know it isn't true. She said she didn't want you to come because you were one of the proud set." "And what did _you_ say?" "Nothing. I had it just on the end of my tongue to say, 'It's no such thing;' but I didn't say it." "I am glad you were so wise. Dear Ellen, that is nothing to be vexed about. If it were true, indeed, you might be sorry. I trust Miss Fortune is mistaken. I shall try and find some way to make her change her mind. I am glad you told me." "I am _so_ glad you are come, dear Alice!" said Ellen again. "I wish I could have you always." And the long, very close pressure of her two arms about her friend said as much. There was a long pause. The cheek of Alice rested on Ellen's head which nestled against her; both were busily thinking, but neither spoke; and the cricket chirped and the flames crackled without being listened to. "Miss Alice," said Ellen, after a long time, "I wish you would talk over a hymn with me." "How do you mean, my dear?" said Alice, rousing herself. "I mean, read it over and explain it. Mamma used to do it sometimes. I have been thinking a great deal about her to-day, and I think I'm very different from what I ought to be. I wish you would talk to me and make me better, Miss Alice." Alice pressed an earnest kiss upon the tearful little face that was uplifted to her, and presently said-- "I am afraid I shall be a poor substitute for your mother, Ellen. What hymn shall we take?" "Any one--this one if you like. Mamma likes it very much. I was looking it over to-day. "'A charge to keep I have-- A God to glorify; A never-dying soul to save, And fit it for the sky.'" Alice read the first line and paused. "There now," said Ellen, "what is a charge?" "Don't you know that?" "I think I do, but I wish you would tell me." "Try to tell me first." "Isn't it something that is given one to do?--I don't know exactly." "It is something given one in trust, to be done or taken care of. I remember very well once when I was about your age my mother had occasion to go out for half-an-hour, and she left me in charge of my little baby sister; she gave me a _charge_ not to let anything disturb her while she was away, and to keep her asleep if I could. And I remember how I kept my charge too. I was not to take her out of the cradle, but I sat beside her the whole time; I would not suffer a fly to light on her little fair cheek; I scarcely took my eyes from her; I made John keep pussy at a distance; and whenever one of the little round dimpled arms was thrown out upon the coverlet, I carefully drew something over it again." "Is she dead?" said Ellen timidly, her eyes watering in sympathy with Alice's.