Mr. Van Brunt whistled quietly to himself. "Well!" said he, "you are a good-natured piece."
"Miss Fortune," said he, presently, "if that mischievous girl comes in again, I recommend you to let her stay."
"Why?"
" 'Cause it's true what she said she'll do you as much good as half-a-dozen. She'll behave herself this evening, I'll engage, or, if she don't, I'll make her."
"She's too impudent to live! But I don't care her grandmother is another sort; but I guess she is gone by this time."
Ellen waited only till her aunt's back was turned. She slipped down stairs and out at the kitchen door, and ran up the slope to the fence of the chip-yard.
"Nancy! Nancy!"
"What?" said Nancy, wheeling about.
"If you go in now, I guess Aunt Fortune will let you stay."
"What makes you think so?" said the other, surlily.