"Well, how do you like your brother in the pulpit?" she began.
"I like him anywhere, Ma'am," said Ellen, smiling a very
unequivocal smile.
"I thought he would have come here with you last night; it is
very mean of him! He never comes near us; he always goes to
some wretched little lodging or place in the town there —
always; never so much as looks at Ventnor, unless sometimes he
may stop for a minute at the door."
"He said he would come here to-night," said Ellen.
"Amazing condescending of him! However, he isn't like anybody
else; I suppose we must not judge him by common rules. How is
Mr. Humphreys, Ellen?"
"I don't know Ma'am," said Ellen; "it is hard to tell; he
doesn't say much. I think he is rather more cheerful, if
anything, than I expected he would be."
"And how do you get along there, poor child! with only two
such grave people about you?"
"I get along very well, Ma'am," said Ellen, with what Miss
Sophia thought a somewhat curious smile.
"I believe you will grow to be as sober as the rest of them,"
said she. "How does Mr. John behave?"
Ellen turned so indubitably curious a look upon her at this,
that Miss Sophia half-laughed and went on —
"Mr. Humphreys was not always as silent and reserved as he is
now; I remember him when he was different, though I don't
think he was ever much like his son. Do you ever hear about
it?"
"About what, Ma'am?"
"Oh, all about his coming to this country, and what brought
him to Carra-carra?"
"No, Ma'am.
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