"Shan't I carry it, Mamma?" said Ellen.
"No, you would find it in the way; we have several things to do yet."
"Have we, Mamma? I thought we only came to get a Bible."
"That is enough for one day, I confess. I am a little afraid your head will be turned, but I must run the risk of it. I dare not lose the opportunity of this fine weather; I may not have such another. I wish to have the comfort of thinking, when I am away, that I have left you with everything necessary to the keeping up of good habits everything that will make them pleasant and easy. I wish you to be always neat, and tidy, and industrious; depending upon others as little as possible; and careful to improve yourself by every means, and especially by writing to me. I will leave you no excuse, Ellen, for failing in any of these duties. I trust you will not disappoint me in a single particular."
Ellen's heart was too full to speak. She again looked up tearfully, and pressed her mother's hand.
"I do not expect to be disappointed, love," returned Mrs.
Montgomery.
They now entered a large fancy store.
"What are we to get here, Mamma?" said Ellen.
"A box to put your pens and paper in," said her mother, smiling.
"Oh, to be sure," said Ellen; "I had almost forgotten that."