"How beautiful!" said the lady again. "Ellen, dear, He whose hand raised up those mountains, and has painted them so gloriously, is the very same One who has said, to you and to me, 'Ask and it shall be given you.' "
Ellen looked up; their eyes met: her answer was in that grateful glance.
The lady sat down and drew Ellen close to her.
"Do you see that little white village yonder, down at the far end of the lake? that is the village of Carra-carra; and that is Carra-carra lake; that is where I go to church; you cannot see the little church from here. My father preaches there every Sunday morning."
"You must have a long way to go," said Ellen.
"Yes, a pretty long way, but it's very pleasant, though. I mount my little gray pony, and he carries me there in quick time, when I will let him. I never wish the way shorter. I go in all sorts of weathers, too, Ellen; Sharp and I don't mind frost and snow."
"My pony. An odd name, isn't it? It wasn't of my choosing, Ellen, but he deserves it, if ever pony did. He's a very cunning little fellow. Where do you go, Ellen? to Thirlwall?"
"To church, Maam! I don't go anywhere."
"What do you do with yourself on Sunday?"
"Nothing, Maam; I don't know what to do with myself all the day long. I get tired of being in the house, and I go out of doors; and then I get tired of being out of doors, and come in again. I wanted a kitten dreadfully, but Mr. Van Brunt said aunt Fortune would not let me keep one."
"Did you want a kitten to help you keep Sunday, Ellen?" said her friend, smiling.
"Yes, I did, Maam," said Ellen, smiling again. "I thought it would be a great deal of company for me. I got very tired of reading all day long, and I had nothing to read but the Bible; and you know, Maam, I told you I have been all wrong ever since I came here, and I didn't like to read that much."
"My poor child!" said the lady "you have been hardly bestead, I think. What if you were to come and spend next Sunday with me? Don't you think I should do instead of a kitten?"
"Oh, yes, Maam, I am sure of it," said Ellen, clinging to her. "Oh, I'll come gladly, if you will let me and if aunt Fortune will let me; and I hope she will, for she said last Sunday I was the plague of her life."