Van Brunt's;
Mr. Van Brunt will take you the rest of the way in his little
waggon."
"Do you think it is needful?" said Alice, doubtfully.
"I am sure it is best. Hasten down. _Adieu, mon enfant_."
They kissed and embraced her, and hurried out.
CHAPTER XIX.
Showing that in certain circumstances white is black.
The clouds hung thick and low; the wind was less than it had
been. They took the path Mrs. Vawse had spoken of; it was
broader and easier than the other, winding more gently down
the mountain; it was sometimes, indeed, travelled by horses,
though far too steep for any kind of carriage. Alice and Ellen
ran along without giving much heed to anything but their
footing — down, down — running and bounding, hand in hand,
till want of breath obliged them to slacken their pace.
"Do you think it will snow soon?" asked Ellen.
"I think it will snow — how soon, I cannot tell. Have you had
a pleasant afternoon?"
"Oh, very!"
"I always have when I go there. Now, Ellen, there is an
example of contentment for you. If ever a woman loved husband
and children and friends, Mrs. Vawse loved hers; I know this
from those who knew her long ago; and now, look at her. Of
them all, she has none left but the orphan daughter of her
youngest son, and you know a little what sort of a child that
is."
"She must be a very bad girl," said Ellen; "you can't think
what stories she told me about her grandmother.
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