"I hope not, Aunt Keith," said Ellen.
"Where did you get them?" said Mr. Lindsay.
"What, Sir?"
"These notions."
"In reading, Sir; reading different books; and talking."
"Reading! so you did read in the backwoods?"
"Sir!" said Ellen, with a look of surprise.
"What have you read on this subject?"
"Two lives of Washington, and some in the _Annual Register_, and
part of Graham's _United State;_ and one or two other little
things."
"But those gave you only one side, Ellen; you should read the
English account of the matter."
"So I did, Sir; the _Annual Register_ gave me both sides; the
bills and messages were enough."
"What _Annual Register?_"
"I don't know, Sir; it is English; written by Burke, I
believe."
"Upon my word! And what else have you read?"
"I think that's all, about America," said Ellen.
"No, but about other things."
"Oh, I don't know, Sir," said Ellen, smiling; "a great many
books; I can't tell them all."
"Did you spend all your time over your books?"
"A good deal, Sir, lately; not so much before."
"How was that?"
"I couldn't, Sir. I had a great many other things to do."
"What else had you to do?"
"Different things," said Ellen, hesitating, from the
remembrance of her aunt's manner the night before.
"Come, come! answer me."
"I had to sweep and dust," said Ellen, colouring, "and set
tables — and wash and wipe dishes — and churn — and spin — and
—"
Ellen _heard_ Lady Keith's look in her, "Could you have
conceived it!"
"What shall we do with her?" said Mrs.
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