"And then they are done?"
"Then they are done."
"How very curious?" said Ellen. "Then it's the smoke that gives them that nice taste? I never knew smoke was good for anything before."
"Ellen!" said the voice of Miss Fortune, from the top of the stairs "come right up here, this minute! you'll catch your death!"
Ellen's countenance fell.
"There's no sort of fear of that, Maam," said Mr. Van Brunt, quietly; "and Miss Ellen is fastened up so, she can't get loose; and I can't let her out just now."
The upper door was shut again pretty sharply, but that was the only audible expression of opinion with which Miss Fortune favoured them.
"I guess my leather curtains keep off the wind, don't they?" said Mr. Van Brunt.
"Yes, indeed they do," said Ellen; "I don't feel a breath; I am as warm as a toast too warm, almost. How nicely you have fixed me up, Mr. Van Brunt!"
"I thought that 'ere old buffalo had done its work," he said; "but I'll never say anything is good for nothing again. Have you found out where the apples are, yet?"