walk to Mrs. Haydon's, and she would not have time to call upon
Mary if she went there.

"Thank you, Esther, for telling me this. Did you say you wanted a
situation?"

"Yes, ma'am, if I could hear of one like Katie's to serve in a shop and
be a young lady. I couldn't be a common servant," she added, quickly.

"A 'common servant,' Esther, what do you mean?" said Miss Eldon, rather
severely. "Do you know that to be a household servant you must have a
character that will bear the strictest inquiry, and therefore those who
are servants are known at once as respectable, honourable people, and
those who employ them know their value, and esteem them accordingly?
Have you so soon forgotten what I told you on Sunday?"

Esther hung her head, feeling very much ashamed for a minute or two,
but at last she managed to say, "I thought servants were always looked
down upon, ma'am."

"No one, whose respect was worth having, would look down upon a servant
because she was a servant. We always looked up to our dear old nurse,
Margaret, and loved her almost as a mother," said Miss Eldon. "Now,
Esther, think over what I have said, and put these foolish notions
away. I know your mother wishes you to go to service. Come and tell
me next Sunday, that I may look out for a situation for you. I must go
and see Mary Green now," and the lady bade her scholar good-bye, and
walked on.

Esther stood a minute looking after her. "I wish I was a lady, and
could have a fine silk dress like hers," she said, half aloud. "I knew
she wanted some of us to take a place, and if it wasn't for that proud
Kate Haydon, I think I would try it, but I couldn't bear to think of
her serving in a grand shop in London, while I was mewed up in a
nursery or kitchen here. Mother must grumble a little longer; I
daresay I shall hear of a place in a shop before long, and who knows
but I may go to London, too;" and Esther went on her way, her mind full
of the unknown glories of London, and vain wishes to be in Kate's place.

Mary Green ran in to see Kate a day or two afterwards, and tell her the
news that she had got a situation at Lady Hazeldean's, as under-nurse
and to wait on the young ladies.

"My dear, I am very glad to hear it," said Mrs. Haydon. "I only wish
it had been offered to Kate, instead of her going to London."

"But--but I thought--" began Mary.

"Mary, do come now, before it gets dark; I want to show you my new
dress," interrupted Kate, has