"I do feel nicely now," said Ellen. And Alice smiled in answer to their inquiries, and said if she only knew her father was easy, there would be nothing wanting to her happiness.
The bathing of their feet was a great refreshment, and their kind hostess had got ready a plentiful supply of hot herb-tea, with which both Alice and Ellen were well dosed. While they sat sipping this, toasting their feet before the fire, Mrs. Van Brunt and the girls meanwhile preparing their room, Mr. Van Brunt suddenly entered. He was cloaked and hatted, and had a riding-whip in his hand.
"Is there any word you'd like to get home, Miss Alice? I'm going to ride a good piece that way, and I can stop as good as not."
"To-night, Mr. Van Brunt?" exclaimed Alice, in astonishment.
Mr. Van Brunt's silence seemed to say that to-night was the time and no other.
"But the storm is too bad," urged Alice. "Pray don't go till to-morrow."
"Pray don't, Mr. Van Brunt," said Ellen.
"Can't help it; I've got business must go. What shall I say,
Maam?"
"I should be very glad," said Alice, "to have my father know where I am. Are you going very near the Nose?"
"Very near."