" 'Cause he told me. Say what did you do it for? Mr. Dennison, won't you give Ellen a piece of cake or something? Here take this," said Nancy, pouncing upon a glass of egg- nog, which a gap in the company enabled her to reach; "I made it more than half myself. Ain't it good?"
"Yes, very," said Ellen, smacking her lips; "what's in it?"
"Oh, plenty of good things. But what made you ask Mr. Van Brunt to let me stop to-night? you didn't tell me did you want me to stay?"
"Never mind," said Ellen; "don't ask me any questions."
"Yes, but I will though: and you've got to answer me. Why did you? Come! do you like me? say!"
"I should like you, I dare say, if you would be different."
"Well, I don't care," said Nancy, after a little pause; "I like you, though you're as queer as you can be. I don't care whether you like me or not. Look here, Ellen, that cake there is the best I know it is, for I've tried 'em all. You know I told Van Brunt that I would tell him what you were crying about?"
"Yes, and I asked you not. Did you?"
Nancy nodded, being at the moment still further engaged in "trying" the cake.
"I am sorry you did. What did he say?"