good'. Will you put that among the things you mean to do while
I am gone?" said Mrs. Montgomery, with a smile.

"I'll try, dear Mamma."

"You will succeed if you try, dear, never fear — if you apply
yourself in your trying to the only unfailing source of wisdom
and strength — to Him without whom you can do nothing."

There was silence for a little.

"What sort of a place is it where my aunt lives?" asked Ellen.

"Your father says it is a very pleasant place; he says the
country is beautiful, and very healthy, and full of charming
walks and rides. You have never lived in the country; I think
you will enjoy it very much."

"Then it is not a town?" said Ellen.

"No; it is not far from the town of Thirlwall, but your aunt
lives in the open country. Your father says she is a capital
housekeeper, and that you will learn more, and be in all
respects a great deal happier and better off, than you would
be in a boarding-school here or anywhere."

Ellen's heart secretly questioned the truth of this last
assertion very much.

"Is there any school near?" she asked.