I
would be careful not to disturb anything; I would leave
everything just as I found it."
"You may go when you please, and do what you please there,
Ellie."
"But I don't like to — I couldn't without speaking to him
first; I should be afraid he might come back and find me
there, and he would think I hadn't had leave."
"And you wish _me_ to speak to him — is that it? Cannot you
muster resolution enough for that, Ellie?"
Ellen was satisfied, for she knew by his tone he would do what
she wanted.
"Father," said John, the next morning at breakfast, "Ellen
wishes to take upon herself the daily care of your study, but
she is afraid to venture there without being assured it will
please you to see her there."
The old gentleman laid his hand affectionately on Ellen's
head, and told her she was welcome to come and go when she
would — the whole house was hers.
The grave kindness and tenderness of the tone and action
spoiled Ellen's breakfast. She could not look at anybody nor
hold up her head for the rest of the time.
As Alice had anticipated, her brother was called to take the
charge of a church at Randolph, and at the same time another
more distant was offered him. He refused them both, rightly
judging that his place for the present was at home. But the
call from Randolph being pressed upon him very much, he at
length agreed to preach for them during the winter; riding
thither for the purpose every Saturday, and returning to
Carra-carra on Monday.
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