rs or
deprivations; but when that state of things failed, and he made himself
uncomfortable about his surroundings, there would come a miserable _cui
bono_ feeling. If _he_ were not satisfied, then what did she work for?
and what was gained by it all? This morning she was just about to put a
question, when Colonel Gainsborough began.

'Is this the best butter one can get in this town?'

'Papa, I do not know!' said Esther, brought back from yesterday to
to-day with a sudden pull. 'It is Mrs. Bounder's butter, and we have
always found it very good; and she lets us have it at a lower rate than
we could get it in the stores.'

'Nothing is good that is got "at a low rate." I do not believe in that
plan. It is generally a cheat in the end.'

'It has been warm weather, you know, papa; and it is difficult to keep
things so nice without a cool cellar.'

'That is one of the benefits of living in Major Street. It ought to be
called "Minor,"--for we are "minus" nearly everything, I think.'

What could Esther say?

'My dear, what sort of bread is this?'

'It is from the baker's, papa. Is it not good?'

'Baker's bread is never good; not fit to nourish life upon. How comes
it we have baker's bread? Barker knows what I think of it.'

'I suppose she was unable to bake yesterday.'

'And of course to-day her bread will be too fresh to be eatable! My
dear, cannot you bring a little system into her ways?'

'She does the very best she can, papa.'

'Yes, yes, I know that; as far as the intention goes; but all such
people want a head over them. They know nothing whatever about system.
By the way, can't she fry her bacon without burning it? This is done to
a crisp.'

'Papa, I am very sorry! I did not mean to give you a burnt piece. Mine
is very good. Let me find you a better bit.'

'It doesn't matter!' said the colonel, giving his plate an unloving
shove. 'A man lives and dies, all the same, whether his bacon is burnt
or not. I suppose nothing matters! Are you going to that party, at
Mrs.-- I forget her name?'

'I think not, papa.'

'Why not?'

Esther hesitated.

'Why not? Don't you like to go?'

'Yes, sir. I like it very well.'

'Then why don't you go? At least you can give a reason.'

'There are more reasons than one,' said Esther. She was extremely
unwilling to reveal either of them.

'Well, go on. If you know them, you can tell them to me. What are they?'

'Papa, it is really of no consequence, and I do not m