ong the
mountains, for about a mile, and at length they drove up to the door of a
pleasant little farm-house in a sort of dell. There was a high hill behind
it--overhung with forest trees. There was a spacious yard at the end of the
house, with ducks, and geese, and chickens, in the back part of it. There
was a large dog lying asleep on the great flat stone step when the wagon
came up, but when he heard the wagon coming, awoke, opened his eyes, got
up, and walked away. There was a well in the middle of the yard. Beechnut
rode round the well, and drove up to the door. Ellen was sitting at the
window. As soon as she saw the wagon, she got up and ran to the door.

"How do you do, Ellen!" said Beechnut.

"How do you do, Antonio!" said Ellen, "I am much obliged to you for
bringing my brother and sister to see me."

So saying, she came to the wagon and helped Annie out. Rodolphus, who was
on the other side of Beechnut, then handed her his basket, saying, "Here,
Ellen, take this very carefully. There are two rabbits in it, and one of
them is for you."

"For me," said Ellen.

"Yes," said Annie, "only I am to take care of it for you."

"Good-by," said Beechnut. He was just beginning, as he said this, to drive
the wagon away.

"Good-by, Beechnut," said Rodolphus.

"I am much obliged to you for my ride," said Annie.

"Stop a minute, Antonio," said Ellen, "I have got something for you."

So saying, Ellen went into the house and brought out a small flat parcel,
neatly put up and addressed on the outside, ANTONIO.

She took it out to the wagon, and handed it up to Antonio, saying that
there were the last drawings that he had lent her. In fact, Ellen was one
of Beechnut's pupils in drawing. He was accustomed to lend her models,
which, when she had copied them, she sent back to him. Ellen was one of
Antonio's favorite pupils; she was so faithful, and patient, and
persevering. Besides, she was a very beautiful girl.

"I must not stop to see your copies now," said Antonio, "but I shall come
again pretty soon. Good-by."

"Good-by," said Ellen: and then she went back to the door where Rodolphus
and Annie were standing.

Rodolphus lifted up the corner of the cloth, which covered the basket, and
let Ellen see the rabbits. Ellen was very much pleased to find that one of
them was hers. She said that she would put a collar on its neck, as a mark
that it was hers, and she asked Rodolphus and Annie to go in with her into
the hous