The old people at Carra-carra were taken leave of; the Brownie too with great difficulty. And Nancy.
"I am real sorry you are going, Ellen," said she "you're the only soul in town I care about. I wish I'd thrown them letters in the fire after all! Who'd ha' thought it?"
Ellen could not help in her heart echoing the wish.
"I'm real sorry, Ellen," she repeated. "Ain't there something
I can do for you when you are gone?"
"Oh, yes, dear Nancy," said Ellen, weeping "if you would only take care of your dear grandmother. She is left alone now. If you would only take care of her, and read your Bible, and be good, Nancy oh, Nancy, Nancy! do, do!"
They kissed each other, and Nancy went away fairly crying.
Mrs. Marshman's own woman, a steady, excellent person, had come in the carriage for Ellen. And the next morning, early after breakfast, when everything else was ready, she went into Mr. Humphrey's study to bid the last dreaded good-bye. She thought her obedience was costing her dear.
It was nearly a silent parting. He held her a long time in his arms; and there Ellen bitterly thought her place ought to be. "What have I to do to seek new relations?" she said to herself. But she was speechless; till gently relaxing his hold, he tenderly smoothed back her disordered hair, and kissing her, said a very few grave words of blessing and counsel. Ellen gathered all her strength together then, for she had something that must be spoken.
"Sir," said she, falling on her knees before him, and looking up in his face "this don't alter you do not take back what you said, do you?"
"What's that I said, my child?"