me in other
ways."

"How?" asked Esther eagerly, her whole face brightening. "Oh, I do so
want to help."

But at that moment Anna came in to say Miss Ashe was wanted, and the
conversation had to end.

"Run out and amuse yourself now, dear, and keep an eye on the others,"
said Miss Charlotte, laying a gentle hand on Esther's shoulder with a
little caressing touch. "I am afraid I am leaving the care of them very
much to you, but we shall settle down in time. I hoped to have got
another maid; but well, Anna has lived so long alone now it is a little
difficult to find any one she would live with happily. I want a girl,
too, who would not require high wages. Now run along, dear. I hear Poppy
calling to you," and with the same Miss Charlotte bustled away, and Esther
was left alone.

CHAPTER VI.

"Girls," said Esther solemnly, as she hurried down the garden to where
they were sitting, "I've got a lot to talk about. Let's go somewhere
where we can be quiet."

There was a door in one wall of the garden, which led out directly on to
the moor. Penelope had already discovered this, and at once led her
sisters through it. At no great distance up the slope was a large group
of rocks, which afforded them seats and shelter; it had other advantages,
too, for from it they could look along the winding road, or down on the
river and the cottages. Here the four of them ensconced themselves, with
Guard beside them, and the three looked eagerly at their eldest sister.

"What is it?" asked Penelope.

"It isn't bad news from mother, is it?" gasped Angela, with a frightened
face.

Esther sat looking very grave and absorbed, yet eager. "There is so much
to say I hardly know where to begin," she said at last, and the excitement
of the others increased.

"Begin anywhere," urged Poppy, who was not noted for her patience, and the
others echoed her suggestion.

Methodical Esther, though, began at the beginning, and at great length
told her story. The others listened with interest, but only Angela
sympathised with Esther entirely. Penelope and Poppy were impressed,
but they did not feel her peculiar horror of the situation as Angela did,
nor her sensitive pride and shame. They grew more alert, though, when
she, having finished her story of the letter, said gravely, "Girls, we've
all got to do something, and I'll tell you what we've got to do."

"What?" they demanded in one breath.

"Well, we've got to save Cousin