nd she
went only the harder at her constructions and translations and
demonstrations. The colonel lived _his_ life without any apparent
change.

And so went weeks and months: winter passed and spring carne; spring
ran its course, and the school year at last was at an end. Esther came
home for the long vacation. And then one day, Mrs. Barker confided to
her reluctantly that the difficulties of her position were increasing.

'You ask me, why don't I get more strawberries, Miss Esther. My dear, I
can't do it.'

'Cannot get strawberries? But they are in great plenty now, and cheap.'

'Yes, mum, but there's so many other things, Miss Esther.' The
housekeeper looked distressed. Esther was startled, and hesitated.

'You mean you have not money, Barker? Papa does not give you enough?'

'He gives me the proper sum, Miss Esther, I'm certain; but I can't make
it do all it should do, to have things right and comfortable.'

'Do you have less than you used at the beginning of winter?'

'Yes, mum. I didn't want to trouble you, Miss Esther, for to be sure
you can't do nothin' to help it; but it's just growin' slimmer and
slimmer.'

'Never mind; I think I know how to mend matters by and by; if we can
only get along for a little further. We must have some things, and my
father likes fruit, you can get strawberries from Mrs. Blumenfeld down
here, can you not?'

'No, mum,' said the housekeeper, looking embarrassed. 'She won't sell
us nothin', that woman won't.'

'Will not sell us anything? I thought she was so kind. What is the
matter? Is there not a good understanding between her and us?'

'There's too good an understanding, mum, and that's the truth. We don't
want no favours from the likes o' her; and now Christopher'--

'What of Christopher?'

'Hain't he said nothin' to the colonel?'

'To papa? No. About what?'

'He's gone and made an ass o' himself, has Christopher,' said the
housekeeper, colouring with displeasure.

'Why? How? What has he done?'

'He hain't done nothin' yet, mum, but he's bound he will, do the
foolishest thing a man o' his years can do. An' he wants me to stan' by
and see him! I do lose my patience whiles where I can't find it. As if
Christopher hadn't enough to think of without that! Men is all just
creatures without the power o' thought and foresight.'

'Thought?--why, that is precisely what is supposed to be their
distinguishing privilege,' said Esther, a little inclined to laugh.
'And Chri