CHAPTER VI.
The time had come for Miss Layton to leave S——, as she had only taken the school for the summer term, and there was a male teacher engaged for the winter. Poor Ella was greatly distressed at the thought of losing her friend. "O Miss Layton," said she, "what shall I do when you are gone? I will have nobody to help me to be good, and nobody to love me."
"Yes, Ella, your aunt loves you very much indeed; she told me so herself."
"Did she?" exclaimed Ella, looking up in astonishment, "I thought she didn't like me at all. She never kisses me, nor tells me she loves me, like mamma used to do, and she's always scolding me and telling me what a troublesome child I am. Are you sure she loves me, Miss Layton?"
"Yes, Ellie, quite sure, and you must try to believe it and to love her in return. She means it all for your good when she scolds you, and you must try to bear it patiently."
"O Miss Layton," sobbed Ella, "how can I ever be good when you are gone?"
"And why should you not, Ellie, just as well as when I am here?"
"Because you're patient and kind, and you seem pleased, and praise me when I do right."