In great glee Ellen set forth again with her new old friend.
Her hand was fast in his, and her tongue ran very freely, for
her heart was completely opened to him. He seemed as pleased
to listen as she was to talk; and by little and little Ellen
told him all her history — the troubles that had come upon her
in consequence of her mother's illness, and her intended
journey and prospects.
That was a happy day to Ellen. They returned to St. Clair and
Fleury's — bought the gray merino and the nankeen, and a dark
brown merino for a dress.
"Do you want only one of these?" asked the old gentleman.
"Mamma said only one," said Ellen; "that will last me all the
winter."
"Well," said he, "I think two will be better. Let us have
another off the same piece, Mr. Shopman."
"But I am afraid Mamma won't like it, Sir," said Ellen,
gently.
"Pooh, pooh," said he, "your mother has nothing to do with
this; this is my affair." He paid for it accordingly. "Now,
Miss Ellen," said he, when they left the store, "have you got
anything in the shape of a good warm winter bonnet? for it's
precious cold up there in Thirlwall; your pasteboard things
won't do; if you don't take good care of your ears, you will
lose them some fine frosty day. You must quilt and pad, and
all sorts of things, to keep alive and comfortable. So you
haven't a hood, eh? Do you think you and I could make out to
choose one that your mother would think wasn't quite a fright!
Come this way, and let us see.
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