aning and dusting and putting in order; set the
table in the one for breakfast, and laid the fire in the other, to be
lit whenever her father might desire it. All this done and in
readiness, she sat down again to study. This time it was study of a
lower grade; partly preparation for school work, partly reading for her
own advancement, though there was not much time for this latter. It was
long past eight, and Mrs. Barker came with the chafing-dish of red
coals and the tea-kettle. She stood by while Esther made the tea,
looking on or meditating; and then began to blow the coals in the
chafing-dish. She blew the coals and looked at Esther.

'Miss Esther,' she began, 'did master say anything about the visitor
that came to see him yesterday?'

'Not much. Why? He said it was somebody on business.'

'Well, mum, he didn't look like that sort o' pusson at all.'

'Why not? Any sort of person might come on business, you know.'

'True, mum, but this wasn't that sort o' pusson. If Christopher had
opened the door for him, he'd ha' knowed; but my eyes is that poor,
when I'm lookin' out into the light, I can't seem to see nothin' that's
nearer me. But howsomever, mum, what I did see of him, somehow, it put
me in mind of Seaforth.'

'Seaforth! Why? Who did you think it was?'

'I am sure, mum, I don't know. I couldn't see good, with the light
behind him, and he standin' in the doorway. And I can't say how it was,
but what he made me think of, it was Seaforth, mum.'

'I am afraid you have been thinking of Seaforth, Barker,' said Esther,
with half a sigh. 'It could not have been anybody we used to know. Papa
went there, you know, last summer, to see old friends, or to see what
had become of them; and Mr. and Mrs. Dallas were gone to England, to
their son, and with them the young lady he is to marry. I daresay he
may be married by this time, or just going to be married. He has quite
forgotten us, you may be sure. I do not expect ever to see him again.
Was this man yesterday young or old?'

'Young, mum, and tall and straight, and very personable. I'd like to
see his face!--but it may be as you say.'

Perhaps Esther would have put some further question to her father at
breakfast about his yesterday's visit, but as it happened she had other
things to think of. The colonel was in a querulous mood; not altogether
uncommon in these days, but always very trying to Esther. When he
seemed contented and easy, she felt repaid for all labou