t we have
a mind."

"Just imagine the nicest things you can," David went on.

"To eat?" said Esther.

"No, no; you've done enough of that to-day," said Norton. "Imagine what
you have a mind to,--every sort of thing that's pleasant."

"Well you begin, Norton, because you understand it. We'll hear you
play, and so learn."

"We have got to choose the Judge first. And the Recorder."

"What's the Judge to do?"

"Say who has made the best business."

"I don't understand a bit of it," said Esther.

"No, but you will presently. You'll see. Wait till we begin. Who will
you have for Judge?"

There was a general cry of "David Bartholomew!"

"No," said David, "I won't be Judge. I'll be Recorder, if you like. For
Judge, I propose Norton Laval."

Norton was agreed upon unanimously.

"Now we are ready. Esther, we will begin at you. Tell what you have, or
what you would like to have; and then, what you would do with it, or
use it for."

"I don't know what you mean," said Esther.

"You are not tied to facts. Tell what you like. What would you most
like?"

"Most like?" repeated Esther. "Let me see. It's very hard to begin with
me, when I don't know the game. Let us see. I think I should like to
have the most beautiful diamonds in New York."

"Very good," said Norton. "Now tell what you would do with them."

"Do with them? Why, wear them, of course."

"Of course," said Norton. "But the diamonds are your capital, you
understand; what interest will you get for your capital? What _good_
will they do you, Esther? that's it."

"What good?" said Esther. "Why, if I had the finest jewels of anybody,
don't you see I should outshine everybody?"

"I don't see it," said Norton; "but then I'm not in that line. It's
_your_ business we are talking of. Put it down properly, Recorder. Now
Bob Francis--what's your idea of a jolly life, eh?"

"_I_ don't know!" said Bob. He was a year older than his sister; not a
year brighter.

"O yes, you do. Fancy--but I don't believe you _can_ fancy. What would
you like best, Bob?--come!"

"I'd like as well as anything to be a cavalry officer, and have nothing
to do but ride."

"A cavalry officer has a great deal to do, I can tell you, my fine
fellow, besides riding," said David.

"O well; _I_ don't want to have anything else to do," said Bob. "I'd
cut school; it's a bore."

"But you can't ride always. What will be the good of your riding when
you are sick, or get old?"

"O then I