"Oh, she is happy, Mayhew; all her thoughts are joyful! Her heart is revelling. It was very sinful to be so anxious on her account."
"So I always told you; but you wouldn't mind me. She'll make old bones."
"You think so, do you?"
"Why, look at her yourself, and say whether we should be justified in thinking otherwise. Is she not the picture of health and animation?"
"Yes, Mayhew, but her mother"——
"There, be quiet will you? The song is over."
Ellen returned to her father's side, sat upon a stool before him, and placed her arms upon his knee. The incumbent drew her head there, and touched her cheek in playfulness.
"Come, my friend," exclaimed the physician, "that isn't allowable by any means. Recollect two young gentlemen are present, and we can't be tantalized."
The minister smiled, and Ellen looked at me.
"Do you remember, doctor," enquired the latter, "this very day eleven years, when you came over on the grey pony, that walked into this room after you, and frightened us all so?"