"Stop a bit," said the old man, taking up his saddle-bags, "Miss Fortune's niece, eh? Well--I believe--as I've got somethin' for her--somethin' here--aunt well, eh?" "Yes, sir." "That's more than you be, ain't it?" said he, glancing sideways at Ellen's face. "How do you know but I've got a letter for you here, eh?" The colour rushed to that face, and she clasped her hands. "No, dear, no," said he, "I ha'n't got any for you--it's for the old lady--there, run in with it, dear." But Ellen knew before she touched it that it was a foreign letter, and dashed into the house with it. Miss Fortune coolly sent her back to pay the postage. When she came in again her aunt was still reading the letter. But her look, Ellen _felt_, was unpromising. She did not venture to speak; expectation was chilled. She stood till Miss Fortune began to fold up the paper. "Is there nothing for me?" she said then, timidly. "No." "Oh, why don't she write to me!" cried Ellen, bursting into tears. Miss Fortune stalked about the room without any particular purpose, as far as could be seen. "It is very strange!" said Ellen sorrowfully. "I am afraid she is worse--does papa say she is worse?" "No." "Oh, if she had only sent me a message! I should think she might. Oh, I wish she had!--three words!--does papa say why she don't write?" "No." "It is very strange!" repeated poor Ellen. "Your father talks of coming home," said Miss Fortune, after a few minutes, during which Ellen had been silently weeping. "Home!--then she must be better!" said Ellen, with new life. "Does papa say she is better?" "No." "But what does he mean?" said Ellen uneasily. "I don't see what he means; he doesn't say she is worse, and he doesn't say she is better, what _does_ he say?" "He don't say much about anything." "Does he say when they are coming home?" Miss Fortune mumbled something about "Spring," and whisked off to the buttery. Ellen thought no more was to be got out of her. She felt miserable. Her father and aunt both seemed to act strangely; and where to find comfort she scarcely knew. She had been one day telling her doubts and sorrows to John. He did not try to raise her hopes, but said, "Troubles will come in this world, Ellie; the best is to trust them and ourselves to our dear Saviour, and let trials drive us to Him. Seek to love Him more and to be patient under His will; the good Shepherd means nothing but kindness to any lamb in His flock, you may be sure of that, Ellie."