"You mustn't get vexed so easily, my child. Don't let every little untowards thing roughen your temper."
"But I couldn't help it, dear Miss Alice; it was about you. I don't know whether I ought to tell you; but I don't think you'll mind it, and I know it isn't true. She said she didn't want you to come because you were one of the proud set."
"Nothing. I had it just on the end of my tongue to say, 'It's no such thing;' but I didn't say it."
"I am glad you were so wise. Dear Ellen, that is nothing to be vexed about. If it were true, indeed, you might be sorry. I trust Miss Fortune is mistaken. I shall try and find some way to make her change her mind. I am glad you told me."
"I am _so_ glad you are come, dear Alice!" said Ellen again. "I wish I could have you always!" And the long, very close pressure of her two arms about her friend, said as much. There was a long pause. The cheek of Alice rested on Ellen's head, which nestled against her; both were busily thinking, but neither spoke; and the cricket chirped, and the flames crackled, without being listened to.
"Miss Alice," said Ellen, after a long time "I wish you would talk over a hymn with me."
"How do you mean, my dear?" said Alice, rousing herself.
"I mean, read it over and explain it. Mamma used to do it sometimes. I have been thinking a great deal about her to-day; and I think I'm very different from what I ought to be. I wish you would talk to me, and make me better, Miss Alice."
Alice pressed an earnest kiss upon the tearful little face that was uplifted to her, and presently said
"I am afraid I shall be a poor substitute for your mother, Ellen. What hymn shall we take?"
"Any one this one, if you like. Mamma likes it very much. I was looking it over to-day:
'A charge to keep I have, A God to glorify; A never-dying soul to save And fit it for the sky.' "
"There, now," said Ellen "what is a charge?"
"I think I do, but I wish you would tell me."
"Isn't it something that is given to one to do? I don't know exactly."
"It is something given one in trust to be done, or taken care of. I remember very well once, when I was about your age, my mother had occasion to go out for half an hour, and she left me in charge of my little baby sister; she gave me a _charge_ not to let anything disturb her while she was away, and to keep her asleep if I could. And I remember how I kept my charge, too. I was not to take her out of the cradle, but I sat beside her the whole time; I would not suffer a fly to light on her little fair cheek; I scarcely took my eyes from her; I made John keep pussy at a distance; and whenever one of the little, round, dimpled arms was thrown out upon the coverlet, I carefully drew something over it again."