It proved to be Ellen Linn. When Malleville saw that it was Ellen, she ran to meet her. She asked her why she did not bring Annie with her.
"I did," said Ellen; "she is at the house. She was tired after walking so far, and so I left her there."
"I am glad that she has come," said Malleville, "let us go and see her."
"Not just yet," said Ellen. "I will go with you pretty soon."
The fact was that Ellen had come to see Antonio about Rodolphus, and now she did not know exactly how she should manage to have any conversation with him alone; and she did not wish to talk before James and all the rest about the misconduct of her brother. As soon as Antonio saw her, he went to meet her, and walked with her up to the place where they were at work, to show her the great stone that they were digging out. Ellen looked at it a few minutes and asked some questions about it, but her thoughts were after all upon her brother, and not upon the stone. Presently she went to the place where Malleville had been sitting, and sat down there. She thought, perhaps, that Antonio would come there, and that then she could speak to him.
Phonny climbed up into the tree again, partly to finish his sawing, and partly to let Ellen Linn see how well he could work in such a high place. While he was there, Antonio went to the place where Ellen Linn was sitting, and asked her if she had heard from Rodolphus lately.
"Yes," said Ellen, "and that is the very thing that I came to see you about. I want to talk with you about Rodolphus."
Ellen said this in a low and desponding voice, and Antonio knew that she wished to speak to him alone.
"We can not talk very well here," said Antonio, "will it do if I come and see you about it to-night?"
"Yes," said Ellen, looking up joyfully. "Only I am sorry to put you to that trouble."