"No," said Mrs. Forbes, "I'll tell you. I think I saw Van Brunt go by two or three hours ago with the ox-cart, and I guess he's somewhere up town yet; I han't seen him go back. He can take the child home with him. Sam!" shouted Mrs. Forbes "Sam! here! Sam, run up street directly, and see if you see Mr. Van Brunt's ox-cart standing anywhere I dare say he's at Mr. Miller's, or maybe at Mr. Hammersley's, the blacksmith and ask him to stop here before he goes home. Now hurry! and don't run over him, and then come back and tell me he ain't in town."
Mrs. Forbes herself followed Sam to the door, and cast an exploring look in every direction.
"I don't see no signs of him up nor down," said she, returning to Ellen; "but I'm pretty sure he ain't gone home. Come in here come in here, dear, and make yourself comfortable; it'll be a while yet, maybe, afore Mr. Van Brunt comes, but he'll be along by-and-by; come in here and rest yourself."
She opened a door, and Ellen followed her into a large kitchen, where a fire was burning, that showed wood must be plenty in those regions. Mrs. Forbes placed a low chair for her on the hearth, but herself remained standing by the side of the fire, looking earnestly, and with a good deal of interest, upon the little stranger. Ellen drew her white bonnet from her head, and sitting down with a wearied air, gazed sadly into the flames that were shedding their light upon her.
"Are you going to stop a good while with Miss Fortune?" said
Mrs. Forbes.
"I don't know, Maam yes, I believe so," said Ellen, faintly.
"Han't you got no mother?" asked Mrs. Forbes, suddenly, after a pause.
"Oh, yes!" said Ellen, looking up. But the question had touched the sore spot. Her head sank on her hands, and "Oh, Mamma!" was uttered with a bitterness that even Mrs. Forbes could feel.
"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 way to-day, han't you?"
Ellen nodded her head, but could give no answer.