ut the confusion in her sister's.

"Oh, she wouldn't hear of it," Betty returned. "So sometimes I feel
pretty selfish at being so happy over our sailing. But just think, we
are going straight to Germany and dear old Dick! It seems a hundred
years since he went away. How strangely things have turned out! Here
are Miss McMurtry and my new father getting married, when I have been
predicting that they would, with no one believing me, ever since that
evening at the cabin. So they will be able to look after the house and
let the people stay on in it just as if mother and I were here, and
send us a check for the rent each month so that we will have enough to
live upon. But better than anything, Esther dear, is the wonderful
chance you will have for your music. You are going to study under one
of the greatest teachers in the world and not because of what your own
family believe about your talent, but because of what your teacher in
New York wrote the Professor." It was not often that Betty was able to
speak of Herr Crippen as father; Mr. Ashton had been her father too
long, and she had cared for him too much to be willing to give the
title to any one else. So "the Professor" and "Donna" were the names
she ordinarily bestowed upon her new parents.

"You must not expect too much of my singing, Betty," Esther replied in
her same shy, nervous fashion. "And, for goodness sake! don't write
your brother Dick that my voice has improved, or he will be
disappointed."

Betty laughed teasingly. "Oh, I have told him already that you were
greater than Melba and Farrar rolled into one. But never mind, Esther,
he will soon find out the real truth for himself. Isn't it too
splendid how happy mother is over our plans! She has not been so like
herself since father's death. And somehow instead of acting as if she
had given me up to the Professor as a daughter, she behaves far more as
if he had just presented her with you as well. I believe she feels it
helps to make up to you, Esther, for the years of loneliness--her being
able now to chaperon you, when you so much need to have your big
chance."

Esther was kneeling on the floor; but she turned her light blue eyes
appealingly upon her sister and her lips quivered, revealing her one
beautiful feature in the mobility of the lines of her mouth and in the
whiteness of her teeth.

"You must not expect too much of me, little sister, will you?" she
pleaded. "You know I have only c