"Oh, no! you can't, Sir," said Ellen, sadly.

"Well, let us see," said he — "perhaps I can. What is it that
has troubled you so much?"

"I have lost my mother, Sir," said Ellen.

"Your mother! Lost her! — how?"

"She is very ill, Sir, and obliged to go away over the sea to
France, to get well; and papa could not take me with her,"
said poor Ellen, weeping again, "and I am obliged to go to be
among strangers. Oh, what shall I do?"

"Have you left your mother in the city?"

"Oh yes, Sir! I left her this morning."

"What is your name?"

"Ellen Montgomery."

"Is your mother obliged to go to Europe for her health?"

"Oh yes, Sir; nothing else would have made her go, but the
doctor said she would not live long if she didn't go, and that
would cure her."

"Then you hope to see her come back by-and-by, don't you?"