"Dear me!" said the old lady, "I oughtn't to ha' been abed! Why han't Fortune told me? I'll get right up. Ellen, you go in that fur closet and bring me my paddysoy, that hangs there, and then help me on with my things I'll get right up. Dear me! what was Fortune thinking about?"
The moonlight served very well instead of candles. After twice bringing the wrong dresses, Ellen at last hit upon the "paddysoy," which the old lady knew immediately by the touch. In haste, and not without some fear and trembling on Ellen's part, she was arrayed in it; her best cap put on, not over hair in the best order, Ellen feared, but the old lady would not stay to have it made better; Ellen took care of her down the stairs, and after opening the door for her went back to her room.
A little while had passed, and Ellen was just tying her nightcap strings, and ready to go peacefully to sleep, when Nancy burst in.
"Ellen! Hurry! you must come right downstairs."
"Downstairs! why, I am just ready to go to bed."
"No matter you must come right away down. There's Mr. Van
Brunt says he won't begin supper till you come."
"But does Aunt Fortune want me too?"
"Yes, I tell you! and the quicker you come the better she'll be pleased. She sent me after you in all sorts of a hurry. She said she didn't know where you was!"
"Said she didn't know where I was! Why, she told me herself,"
Ellen began, and stopped short.
"Of course!" said Nancy; "don't you think I know that? But he don't, and if you want to plague her, you'll just tell him. Now come, and be quick, will you? The supper's splendid."