"I'm glad you go my way, Miss Layton, so I don't have to go alone," said Ella.
"Don't you like to walk alone, Ella?"
"No, ma'am, I always want somebody to talk to."
Miss Layton locked the school-house door, and taking Ella's hand they walked slowly homewards.
"How long is it since your mother died, Ella?" asked Miss Layton.
"A whole year, Miss Layton. Oh it seems such a long, long while, and I do want to see her so much!"
"Your mother must have been a very good woman, I think, Ella."
"O yes, Miss Layton, she was so, very good! I never saw her do any thing wrong; but when I used to tell her so sometimes, she always said, no, she was not good, she was a miserable sinner."
"And she was quite right, Ella, for the best of mortals are in the sight of God but vile, polluted sinners. The Bible tells us 'they have all gone out of the way; there is none that doeth good, no not one.' But I trust your mother was a true Christian: one who loved God, and tried to serve him. She seems to have taken a great deal of pains with you, and I hope you remember her instructions. I hope you are a good girl at home, Ella."