sekeeper; 'you have to have the whole barrel
in the end; and if you get it by bits you pay every time for the
privilege. No, mum, that ain't no economy. It's one o' the things which
kills poor people; they has to pay for havin' every quart of onions
measured out to 'em. I'm afeard Christopher hain't had no money for his
hay and his oats that he's got latterly.'

'Hay and oats!' cried Esther. 'Would he get them without orders and
means?'

'I s'pose he thinks he has his orders from natur'. The horse can't be
let to go without his victuals, mum. And means Christopher hadn't,
more'n a quarter enough. What was he to do?'

Esther stood silent and pale, making no demonstration, but the more
profoundly moved and dismayed.

'An' what's harder on _my_ stomach than all the rest,' the housekeeper
went on, 'is that woman sendin' us milk.'

'That woman? Mrs. Blumenfeld?'

'Which it _was_ her name, mum.'

'_Was!_ You do not mean-- Is Christopher really married?'

'He says that, mum, and I suppose he knows. He's back and forth, and
don't live nowheres, as I tells him. And the milk comes plentiful, and
to be sure the colonel likes his glass of a mornin'; and curds, and
blancmange, and the like, I see he's no objection to; but thinks I to
myself, if he knowed, it wouldn't go down quite so easy.'

'If he knew what? Don't you pay for it?'

'I'd pay that, Miss Esther, if I paid nothin' else; but Christopher's
beyond my management and won't hear of no money, nor his wife neither,
he says. It's uncommon impudence, mum, that's what I think it is. Set
her up! to give us milk, and onions, and celery; and she would send
apples, only I dursn't put 'em on the table, being forbidden, and so I
tells Christopher.'

Esther was penetrated through and through with several feelings while
the housekeeper spoke; touched with the kindness manifested, but
terribly humbled that it should be needed, and that it should be
accepted. This must not go on; but, in the meantime, there was another
thing that needed mending.

'Have you been to see your new sister, Barker?'

'Me? That yellow-haired woman? No, mum; and have no desire.'

'It would be right to go, and to be very kind to her.'

'She's that independent, mum, she don't want no kindness. She's got her
man, and I wish her joy.'

'I am sure you may,' said Esther, half laughing. 'Christopher will
certainly make her a good husband. Hasn't he been a good brother?'

'Miss Esther,' said the hous