"Have you heard the news, mum, about Sir James Crofton?" went on Molly, who was in a chatty frame of mind.
"No, what is it?" asked Mrs. Russell.
"He's gone and died suddenly of heart disease."
Mrs. Russell was greatly shocked, for the baronet's generosity in the matter of Ella's education had given him a high place in her estimation.
What about the child's school bills now? Ah! That was the question. Sir James Crofton had paid one term in advance, so until April all was well.
After that, so far as Mrs. Russell could see, there remained only the village-school for her grandchild, and the thought was pain and grief to her. She was feeling far too weak and ailing to think of teaching the little girl herself; in fact, it almost seemed to Ella, as she looked at the withered old face, as if her Grannie were slowly fading away.
[CHAPTER XI]
ELLA'S BURDENS
"WELL, Ella, and how is your Grannie to-day?"
"She doesn't feel very well, Mrs. Snowden, thank you," replied the little girl, to her morning visitor. "She seems to be fretting her heart out for father to come home."