Ellen looked down, and coloured a good deal.
"What's the matter?" said he, laughing; "has any mischief befallen your bonnet?"
"No, Sir," said Ellen, in a low tone, her colour mounting higher and higher "it was laughed at, this morning."
"Laughed at! who laughed at it?"
"Mrs. Dunscombe, and her daughter, and her maid."
"Did they! I don't see much reason in that, I confess. What did they think was the matter with it?"
"I don't know, Sir; they said it was outlandish, and what a figure I looked in it!"
"Well, certainly that was not very polite. Put it on, and let me see." Ellen obeyed.
"I am not the best judge of ladies' bonnets, it is true," said he, "but I can see nothing about it that is not perfectly proper and suitable nothing in the world. So that is what has kept you bareheaded all day? Didn't your mother wish you to wear that bonnet?"
"Yes, Sir."