corpse would look. They were
crazy to know how Ellen Bellows would appear, and what Joel Burns would
do. So the house was thronged. After all, there was not much to satisfy
their curiosity. The corpse was not exposed; Ellen Bellows, contrary to
all custom in New-England, remained in her chamber, for which, as you
may believe, she was pretty thoroughly picked to pieces; and Joel Burns
sat quietly, with sad but tranquil countenance, among the mourners.

The next day Joel called Ellen aside and asked her whether she was not
going home with her aunt.

'Am I not to stay here?' she said.

Joel could not explain to her just then the absolute ruin which stared
her in the face. He simply answered: 'No, Ellen, you must go away for a
few weeks. There is much to do, and for a time you had better be
absent.'

'Very well, Joel, if you advise it. I have nobody else to advise me,'
and she burst into tears.

Joel remained calm. He had previously made up his mind just what to do,
and he brought all the energy of his nature to sustain him. His composed
air helped to restore Ellen--she tried to be as calm as he.

'But aunt, since she came, has not invited me return with her,' she
said.

'Oh! but she will, I am sure,' replied Joel, and he went out rather
abruptly; for here was an obstacle to his plan which did not occur to
him before. He proceeded at once to the aunt, and found her preparing to
leave that afternoon.

'You will take Ellen with you, I suppose?' he said.

'I am sure I had not thought of doing it. You know all the children are
home, and really we have no room at present.'

Two weeks previous she had written a pressing invitation to Ellen to
come at this particular time. Joel bluntly reminded her of it.

'Yes, but circumstances alter cases. The fact is, I can't afford to
maintain the girl, and I don't think I had better begin; and that's the
English of it, Joel, if you force me to say so. You know very well there
won't be a cent left.'

'I think I know more about that than you do,' replied Joel, with an air
which would have done credit to a _diplomat_, 'and, I assure you, Ellen
will _not_ be left penniless; and if you will insist on her going with
you for a short time--mind, I say _insist_--I promise before long to
make certain disclosures which will satisfy you as to my assertion. But
she must not be here while they are settling up. You understand.'

The old lady did not understand, but Joel carried his point b