Ellen looked up, surprised.
"Have you, Maam? I am sure I have never seen you."
"No, I know that. I saw you when you didn't see me. Where, do you think?"
"I can't tell, I am sure," said Ellen, "I can't guess; I haven't seen you at Aunt Fortune's, and I haven't been anywhere else."
"You have forgotten," said the lady. "Did you never hear of a little girl who went to take a walk once upon a time, and had an unlucky fall into a brook, and then went to a kind old lady's house, where she was dried, and put to bed, and went to sleep?"
"Oh, yes," said Ellen. "Did you see me there, Maam, and when
I was asleep?"
"I saw you there when you were asleep; and Mrs. Van Brunt told me who you were, and where you lived; and when I came here, a little while ago. I knew you again very soon. And I knew what the matter was, too, pretty well; but nevertheless, tell me all about it, Ellen; perhaps I can help you."
Ellen shook her head dejectedly. "Nobody in this world can help me," she said.
"Then there's One in heaven that can," said the lady, steadily. "Nothing is too bad for him to mend. Have you asked His help, Ellen?"
Ellen began to weep again. "Oh, if I could, I would tell you all about it, Maam," she said; "but there are so many things I don't know where to begin I don't know when I should ever get through."