"
"Glad! are you glad? I am so sorry. Why are you glad, Alice?"
"Why are you sorry, Ellie?"
"Oh because — I don't know — it seems so queer! — I don't like
it at all. I am very sorry, indeed."
"For your aunt's sake, or for Mr. Van Brunt's sake?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, do you think he or she will be a loser by the
bargain?"
"Why, he to be sure — I think he will — I don't think she
will. I think he is a great deal too good. And, besides — I
wonder if he wants to, really — it was settled so long ago —
maybe he has changed his mind since."
"Have you any reason to think so, Ellie?" said Alice, smiling.
"I don't know — I don't think he seemed particularly glad."
"It will be safest to conclude that Mr. Van Brunt knows his
own mind, my dear; and it is certainly pleasanter for us to
hope so."
"But then, besides," said Ellen, with a face of great
perplexity and vexation — "I don't know — it don't seem right!
How can I ever — must I — do you think I shall have to call
him anything but Mr. Van Brunt?"
Alice could not help smiling again.
"What is your objection, Ellie?"
"Why, because I _can't!_ — I couldn't do it, somehow. It would
seem so strange. Must I, Alice? Why in the world are you glad,
dear Alice?"
"It smooths my way for a plan I have had in my head; you will
know by-and-by why I am glad, Ellie."
"Well, I am glad if you are glad," said Ellen, sighing; "I
don't know why I was so sorry, but I couldn't help it.
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