n said, "Why, Ella, isn't that your sister?"

"My sister? I don't know. Where?" returned Ella.

Mary laughed, and then Ella, facing about, exclaimed, "Why, Mary, you
here? I forgot that you were going this morning."

Before Mary could reply. Sally Furbush arose, and passed her hand
carefully over Ella's head. Partly in fear, and partly in anger, Ella
drew back from the crazy woman, who said, "Don't be alarmed, little
one, I only wanted to find the cavity which I felt sure was there."

Lizzie Upton's half-smothered laugh was more provoking to Ella, than
Sally's insinuation of her want of brains, but she soon recovered her
equanimity, for Mr. Lincoln's carriage at that moment drove up. Henry
sprang nimbly out, kissing his hand to Ella, who blushed, and then
turning to Rose, began wishing she, too, was old enough to go to Mount
Holyoke.

"I guess you'd pass about as good an examination now, as some who are
going," returned Rose, glancing contemptuously towards Mary, to whom
Jenny was eagerly talking.

This directed Henry's attention that way, and simultaneously his own
and Mary's eyes met. With a peculiar expression of countenance, he
stepped towards her, saying "Good morning, school ma'am. For what part
are you bound with all this baggage?" pointing to a huge chest with a
feather bed tied over it, the whole the property of a daughter of
Erin, who stood near, carefully guarding her treasure.

Had he addressed Mary civilly, she would have replied with her usual
politeness, but as it was, she made no reply and he turned to walk
away. All this time Tasso lay under the table, winking and blinking at
his old enemy, with an expression in his eyes, which Henry would
hardly have relished, could he have seen him.

"Hark! Isn't that the cars?" said Jenny, as a low, heavy growl fell on
her ear; but she soon ascertained what it was, for as Henry was
leaving the room, he kicked aside the blue umbrella, which Sal had
brought with her for fear of a shower, and which was lying upon the
floor.

In an instant, Tasso's growl changed to a bark, and bristling with
anger, he rushed towards Henry, but was stopped by Sal just in time to
prevent his doing any mischief. With a muttered oath, which included
the "old woman" as well as her dog, the young man was turning away,
when Jenny said, "Shame on you, to swear before ladies!"

After assuring himself by a look that Ella and the city girls were all
standing upon the platform, Henry rep