"Oh, nicely now! where's Mr. John? I hope he won't ask for my last drawing to-night; I want to fix the top of that tree before he sees it."
"Fix the top of your tree, you little Yankee!" said Alice; "what do you think John would say to that? _un_fix it, you mean; it is too stiff already, isn't it?"
"Well, what shall I say?" said Ellen, laughing. "I am sorry that is Yankee, for I suppose one must speak English. I want to do something to my tree, then. Where is he, Alice?"
"He is gone down to Mr. Van Brunt's, to see how he is, and to speak to Miss Fortune about you on his way back."
"Oh, how kind of him! he's very good; that is just what I want to know; but I am sorry, after this long ride "
"He don't mind that, Ellie. He'll be home presently."
"How nice those peaches look! they are as good as strawberries don't you think so? better I don't know which is best but Mr. John likes these best, don't he? Now you've done shall I set them on the table? and here's a pitcher of splendid cream, Alice!"
"You had better not tell John so, or he will make you define splendid."
John came back in good time, and brought word that Mr. Van Brunt was doing very well, so far as could be known; also, that Miss Fortune consented to Ellen's remaining where she was. He wisely did not say, however, that her consent had been slow to gain, till he had hinted at his readiness to provide a substitute for Ellen's services; on which Miss Fortune had instantly declared she did not want her, and she might stay as long as she pleased. This was all that was needed to complete Ellen's felicity.
"Wasn't your poor horse too tired to go out again this afternoon, Mr. John?"