That was a happy day to Ellen. They returned to St. Clair and
Fleury's — bought the gray merino and the nankeen, and a dark
brown merino for a dress.

"Do you want only one of these?" asked the old gentleman.

"Mamma said only one," said Ellen; "that will last me all the
winter."

"Well," said he, "I think two will be better. Let us have
another off the same piece, Mr. Shopman."

"But I am afraid Mamma won't like it, Sir," said Ellen,
gently.

"Pooh, pooh," said he, "your mother has nothing to do with
this; this is my affair." He paid for it accordingly. "Now,
Miss Ellen," said he, when they left the store, "have you got
anything in the shape of a good warm winter bonnet? for it's
precious cold up there in Thirlwall; your pasteboard things
won't do; if you don't take good care of your ears, you will
lose them some fine frosty day. You must quilt and pad, and
all sorts of things, to keep alive and comfortable. So you
haven't a hood, eh? Do you think you and I could make out to
choose one that your mother would think wasn't quite a fright!
Come this way, and let us see. If she don't like it, she can
give it away, you know."

He led the delighted Ellen into a milliner's shop, and after
turning over a great many different articles chose her a nice