"Oh! why don't she write to me?" cried Ellen, bursting into tears.
Miss Fortune stalked about the room, without any particular purpose as far as could be seen.
"It is very strange," said Ellen, sorrowfully; "I am afraid she is worse. Does papa say she is worse?"
"No."
"Oh! if she had only sent me a message! I should think she might oh! I wish she had! three words! does papa say why she don't write?"
"No."
"It is very strange!" repeated poor Ellen.
"Your father talks of coming home," said Miss Fortune, after a few minutes, during which Ellen had been silently weeping.
"Home! then she must be better!" said Ellen, with new life; "does papa say she is better?"
"No."