"Dear Lord God," she pleaded, "I want You so much to make little Marcia Snowden well again, if it is Your holy will. And I would like to ask You something else as well, if I may. Please will You let us all be friends, Mrs. Snowden and the boys and girls up at the Hall. I feel so lonely, dear Lord God, sometimes, with my dear daddy so far away, and mother up in heaven with You. And please make me a good little girl, and kind and loving to Grannie, for Jesus' sake, Amen."
After this petition, somehow little Ella felt better.
"Now," said she to herself, "I am going to wait God's answer. I feel certain He has heard me, although heaven is such a long way off."
At this moment her Grannie called her downstairs, and, dashing away the teardrops from her eyes, the little maid obeyed with a cheerful heart.
* * * *
Two days later Kenneth Snowden presented himself at Rose Cottage with a note from his mother to Mrs. Russell. The old lady, bidding the boy be seated in the tiny parlour, opened it and read as follows—
"DEAR MRS. RUSSELL,
"I am writing to ask a great favour of you, and that is, if you will spare your little Ella to us for this afternoon and evening. Marcia (who, I am thankful to say, is now well on the road to recovery—in fact, she is coming down to nursery tea to-day) has expressed a great wish for your little grand-daughter's society, and, as the child is still weak and ailing, you would be doing a very real kindness if you would allow Ella to come. We will be mindful of her broken arm, and take every care of her. Please send word by Kenneth if you will, and let it be 'Yes.'
"With kind regards,
"Believe me, yours sincerely,
"ISABEL SNOWDEN."
Mrs. Russell, after reading the note, looked a little perplexed. Then she handed the epistle to Ella, whose eyes danced for joy as she perused it.
Kenneth, watching her meanwhile, decided she was quite "the jolliest little girl" he had ever seen.
"Oh, Grannie dear," she cried; "do let me go. Please say 'Yes.'"