"He has not arrived yet," said John, looking round gravely.
He spoke so gravely, that Ellen could not tell whether he were joking or serious. Her face of extreme perplexity was too much for his command of countenance.
"Whom do you want to speak to?" said he, smiling.
"I wanted to speak to you, Sir," said Ellen, "if you are not too busy."
"Mr. Humphreys is always busy," said he, shaking his head; "but Mr. John can attend to you at any time, and John will do for you whatever you please to ask him."
"Then, Mr. John," said Ellen, laughing, "if you please, I wanted to ask you to do something for me, very much indeed, if you are not too busy; Alice said I shouldn't disturb you."
"Not at all; I've been long enough over this stupid newspaper.
What is it?"
"I want you, if you will be so good," said Ellen, "to write a little bit for me on something, very beautifully."
" 'Very beautifully!' Well come to the library; we will see."
"But it is a great secret," said Ellen; "you won't tell anybody?"