"Oh, I should like it very much!" said Ellen, with new energy.
"Margery made me some particularly nice, as she always does; and I took it into my head a little might not come amiss to you; so I resolved to stand the chance of Sharp's jolting it all over me, and I rode down with a little pail of it on my arm. Let me rake open these coals, and you shall have some directly."
"And did you come without being spattered?" said Ellen.
"Not a drop. Is this what you use to warm things in? Never mind, it has had gruel in it; I'll set the tin pail on the fire; it won't hurt it."
"I am so much obliged to you," said Ellen, "for do you know I have got quite tired of gruel, and panada I can't bear."
"Then I am very glad I brought it."
While it was warming, Alice washed Ellen's gruel cup and spoon; and presently she had the satisfaction of seeing Ellen eating the broth with that keen enjoyment none know but those that have been sick and are getting well. She smiled to see her gaining strength almost in the very act of swallowing.
"Ellen," said she, presently, "I have been considering your dressing-table. It looks rather doleful. I'll make you a present of some dimity, and when you come to see me you shall make a cover for it, that will reach down to the floor and hide those long legs."
"That wouldn't do at all," said Ellen; "Aunt Fortune would go off into all sorts of fits."
"What about?"