_Emily._--“Mama, I like the evening after you have dined out, for you
have always something to tell. You have either seen some little boys
or girls, or heard some amusing story; so pray now think of some nice
thing to entertain us with.”
“Well, I believe I can satisfy you to-night, for I have something to
tell, and something to read also.
“When the ladies went into the drawing-room after dinner, we found,
besides the little Russells, a sweet-looking girl who was staying with
them. She had been seated at the pianoforte playing for the little
Russells’ amusement; but she got up hastily on our entering the room,
and placed herself modestly behind her young friends. ‘That was a
beautiful air that we heard as we crossed the hall, and appeared to be
most beautifully played,’ said one of the party.
“‘Yes,’ replied Mrs. Russell, ‘Ellen Ross does play beautifully, and I
shall not allow her a very long respite before I ask her to let us hear
her.’
“In a short time, then, Ellen was again seated at the pianoforte,
and her playing was really quite astonishing for so young a girl. I
expressed my admiration to Mrs. Russell, who said, ‘The story attached
to that dear girl’s playing is more singular than her playing itself.
Last summer I was staying with the Sydneys in Hampshire, who are the
Ross’s nearest neighbours and great friends. Mrs. Sydney, who doats
on Ellen, told me a story of her which pleased me so much, that I
wrote it down immediately for the amusement of my own little girls,
who, after hearing it, never let me rest till I had invited Ellen Ross
to stay with us. If you like, I will lend it to you to read to your
Emily.’ And here it is; so as we are all together, I will read it to
you at once.”