"Now what made me ask you that!" said she. "Don't cry!--don't, love; poor little dear; you're as pale as a sheet; you're tired, I know--ain't you; now cheer up, do,--I can't bear to see you cry. You've come a great ways to-day, ha'n't you?" Ellen nodded her head, but could give no answer. "I know what will do you good," said Mrs. Forbes presently, getting up from the crouching posture she had taken to comfort Ellen; "you want something to eat,--that's the matter. I'll warrant you're half starved; no wonder you feel bad. Poor little thing! you shall have something good directly." And away she bustled to get it. Left alone, Ellen's tears flowed a few minutes very fast. She felt forlorn; and she was besides, as Mrs. Forbes opined, both tired and faint. But she did not wish to be found weeping, she checked her tears, and was sitting again quietly before the fire when the landlady returned. Mrs. Forbes had a great bowl of milk in one hand, and a plate of bread in the other, which she placed on the kitchen table, and setting a chair, called Ellen to come and partake of it. "Come, dear,--here is something that will do you good. I thought there was a piece of pie in the buttery, and so there was, but Mr. Forbes must have got hold of it, for it ain't there now; and there ain't a bit of cake in the house for you; but I thought maybe you would like this as well as anything. Come!" Ellen thanked her, but said she did not want anything. "Oh yes, you do," said Mrs. Forbes; "I know better. You're as pale as I don't know what. Come! this'll put roses in your cheek. Don't you like bread and milk?" "Yes, very much indeed, ma'am," said Ellen, "but I'm not hungry." She rose, however, and came to the table. "Oh, well, try to eat a bit just to please me. It's real good country milk--not a bit of cream off. You don't get such milk as that in the city, I guess. That's right! I see the roses coming back to your cheeks already. Is your pa in New York now?" "Yes, ma'am." "You expect your pa and ma up to Thirlwall by-and-by, don't you?" "No, ma'am." Mrs. Forbes was surprised, and longed to ask why not, and what Ellen had come for; but the shade that had passed over her face as she answered the last question warned the landlady she was getting upon dangerous ground. "Does your aunt expect you to-night?" "I believe so, ma'am,--I don't know,--she was to have met me; papa said he would write." "Oh, well! maybe something hindered her from coming. It's no matter; you'll get home just as well. Mr. Van Brunt will be here soon, I guess; it's most time for him to be along."