"In what?" said Ellen.
"I mean, written in some difficult character."
"Yes," said Ellen. "But what was that you said?"
"Hieroglyphics."
Ellen added no more, though she was not satisfied. He looked up, and smiled.
"Do you want to know what that means?"
"Yes, if you please," said Ellen.
The pen was laid down while he explained, to a most eager little listener. Even the great business of the moment was forgotten. From hieroglyphics they went to the pyramids; and Ellen had got to the top of one, and was enjoying the prospect (in imagination), when she suddenly came down to tell John of her stuffed stocking and its contents. The pen went on again, and came to the end of the writing by the time Ellen had got to the toe of the stocking.
"Wasn't it very strange they should give me so many things?" said she; "people that don't know me?"
"Why, no," said John, smiling "I cannot say I think it was very strange. Is this all the business you had for my hands?"