"
The first command, at least, Ellen obeyed gladly; she did not
feel enough at home to comply with the second. She only took
off her bonnet.
"Well, Mr. Van Brunt," said Miss Fortune, at the door, "have
you brought me a barrel of flour?"
"No, Miss Fortune," said the voice of Ellen's charioteer,
"I've brought you something better than that."
"Where did you find her?" said Miss Fortune, something
shortly.
"Up at Forbes's."
"What have you got there?"
"A trunk. Where is it to go?"
"A trunk! It must go up stairs; but how it is ever to get
there, I am sure I don't know."
"I'll find a way to get it there, I'll engage, if you'll be so
good as to open the door for me, Ma’am."
"Indeed you won't! That'll never do! With your shoes!" said
Miss Fortune, in a tone of indignant housewifery.
"Well, without my shoes, then," said Mr. Van Brunt, with a
half-giggle, as Ellen heard the shoes kicked off. "Now, Ma’am,
out of my way! give me a road."
Miss Fortune seized the lamp, and, opening another door,
ushered Mr. Van Brunt and the trunk out of the kitchen, and up
— Ellen saw not whither. In a minute or two they returned, and
he of the ox-cart went out.
"Supper's just ready, Mr. Van Brunt," said the mistress of the
house.
"Can't stay, Ma’am — it's so late; must hurry home." And he
closed the door behind him.
"What made you so late?" asked Miss Fortune of Ellen.
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