paid for.' It went sharp to Esther's heart to say the words, for she
knew how keenly they would go to her father's heart; but she was
standing in the breach, and must fight her fight. The colonel flew out
in hot displeasure; sometimes, as we all know, the readiest disguise of
pain.

'Who dared to get hay and oats in my name and leave it unpaid for?'

'Christopher had not the money, papa; and the horse must eat.'

'Not without my order!' said the colonel. 'I will send Christopher
about his own business. He should have come to me.'

There was a little pause here. The whole discussion was exceedingly
painful to Esther; yet it must be gone through, and it must be brought
to some practical conclusion. While she hesitated, the colonel began
again.

'Did you not tell me that the fellow had some ridiculous foolery with
the market woman over here?'

'I did not put it just so, papa, I think,' said Esther, smiling in
spite of her pain. 'Yes, he is married to her.'

'Married!' cried the colonel. '_Married_, do you say? Has he had the
impudence to do that?'

'Why not, sir? Why not Christopher as well as another man?'

'Because he is my servant, and had no permission from me to get married
while he was in my service. He did not _ask_ permission.'

'I suppose he dared not, papa. You know you are rather terrible when
you are displeased. But I think it is a good thing for us that he is
married. Mrs. Blumenfeld is a good woman, and Christopher is disposed
of, whatever we do.'

'Disposed of!' said the colonel. 'Yes! I have done with him. I want no
more of him.'

'Then, papa,' said Esther, sinking down on her knees beside her father,
and affectionately laying one hand on his knee, 'don't you see this
makes things easy for us? I have a proposition. Will you listen to it?'

'A proposition! Say on.'

'It is evident that we must take some step to bring our receipts and
expenses into harmony. Your going without fruit and fish will not do
it, papa; and I do not like that way of saving, besides. I had rather
make one large change--cut off one or two large things--than a
multitude of small ones. It is easier, and pleasanter. Now, so long as
we live in this house we are obliged to keep a horse; and so long as we
have a horse we must have Christopher, or some other man; and so long
as we keep a horse and a man we _must_ make this large outlay, that we
cannot afford. Papa, I propose we move into the city.'

'Move! Where?' asked t