undance of resources and enjoyments, careless and satisfied,--and
this little girl alone at home with her cranky father, and no variety
or change or outlook or help, struck him painfully. It would hardly
have struck most young men; but Pitt, with all his rollicking
waywardness and self-pleasing, had a fine fibre in him which could feel
things. Then Esther's nature, he knew, was one rich in possibilities;
to which life was likely to bring great joy or great sorrow; more
probably both.

'What book have you got there?' he asked suddenly.

'Book?--Oh, the Bible.'

'The Bible! That's something beyond your comprehension, isn't it?'

'No,' said Esther. 'What made you think it was?'

'Always heard it wasn't the thing for children. What set you at that,
Queen Esther? Reading about your namesake?'

'I have read about her. I wasn't reading about her to-night.'

'What were you after, then?'

'It's mamma's Bible,' said Esther rather slowly; 'and she used to say
it was the best place to go for comfort.'

'Comfort! What do you want comfort for, Esther?'

'Nothing, now,' she said, with a smile. 'I am so glad you are come!'

'What _did_ you want comfort for, then?' said he, taking her hand, and
holding it while he looked into her eyes.

'I don't know--papa had gone to bed, and I was alone--and somehow it
seemed lonesome.'

'Will you go with me to-morrow after Christmas greens?'

'Oh, may I?' cried the girl, with such a flush of delight coming into
eyes and cheeks and lips, that Pitt was almost startled.

'I don't think I could enjoy it unless you came. And then you will help
me dress the rooms.'

'What rooms?'

'Our rooms at home. And now, what have you been doing since I have been
away?'

All shadows were got rid of; and there followed a half-hour of most
eager intercourse, questions and answers coming thick upon one another.
Esther was curious to hear all that Pitt would tell her about his life
and doings at college; and, nothing loath, Pitt gave it her. It
interested him to watch the play of thought and interest in the child's
features as he talked. She comprehended him, and she seemed to take in
without difficulty the strange nature and conditions of his college
world.

'Do you have to study hard?' she asked.

'That's as I please. One must study hard to be distinguished.'

'And you will be distinguished, won't you?'

'What do you think? Do you care about it?'

'Yes, I care,' said Esther slowly.

'You