, people pass in the world not for what they are, but for
what they seem to be.'

'Oh, papa, do you think that!' Esther cried. But the colonel went on,
not heeding her.

'So, if you take to making shoes, it will be supposed that you are no
better than a cobbler; and if you choose your abode among washerwomen,
you will be credited with tastes and associations that fit you for your
surroundings. Have we _that_ sort of a neighbourhood?' he asked
suddenly.

'I do not know, papa,' Esther said meekly. The colonel fairly groaned
again. It was getting to be more than she could stand.

'Papa,' she said gently, 'we have done the best we knew,--at least I
have; and the necessity is not one of our own making. Let us take what
the Lord gives. I think He has given us a great deal. And I would
rather, for my part, that people thought anything of us, rather than
that we should miss our own good opinion. I do not know just what the
inhabitants are, round about here; but the street is at least clean and
decent, and within our own walls we need not think about it. Inside it
is _very_ comfortable, papa.'

The colonel was silent now, not, however, seeming to see the comfort.
There was a little interval, during which Esther struggled for calmness
and a clear voice. When she spoke, her voice was very clear.

'Barker has tea ready, papa, I see. I hope that will be as good as
ever, and better, for we have got something you like. Shall we go in?
It is in the other room.'

'Why is it not here, as usual, in my room? I do not see any reason for
the change.'

'It saves the mess of crumbs on the floor in this room. And then it
saves Barker a good deal of trouble to have the table there.'

'Why should Barker be saved trouble here more than where we have come
from? I do not understand.'

'We had Christopher there, papa. Here Barker has no one to help
her--except what I can do.'

'It must be the same thing, to have tea in one room or in another, I
should think.'

Esther could have represented that the other room was just at the head
of the kitchen stairs, while to serve the tea on the colonel's table
would cost a good many more steps. But she had no heart for any further
representations. With her own hands, and with her own feet, which were
by this time wearily tired, she patiently went back and forth between
the two rooms, bringing plates and cups and knives and forks, and
tea-tray, and bread and butter and honey and partridge, and salt