"I think perhaps it might be a good plan. You see, I should get a good education then, and I should like that very much. It would be a great advantage in many ways——"
But Esther left off suddenly, for Mr. Trelawny was roaring with laughter again.
"Hear the child!" he cried to the empty air, as it seemed; "she is asked if she likes boy-playfellows, and she replies with a dissertation on the advantages of a liberal education! Hear that, ye shades of all the sages! A great advantage!—Yes, my dear, I think it will be a great advantage. You will learn to be young at last, perhaps, after being grown-up ever since you were shortened. A brace of boys will wake you up a bit, and, if I read between the lines correctly, this pair are going to turn out a precious pair of pickles."
Esther understood very little of this speech, but she tingled from head to foot with the consciousness that fun was being poked at her.
"I think mama will do as you advise about it," she said, not being able to think of anything else to say.
The big man in the rough clothes was looking down at her with a twinkle in his eyes. He got hold of her hand and made her look up at him.
"Now tell me, child—don't be afraid to speak the truth—do you want these young cubs to come, or don't you? Would it make life pleasanter to you or only a burden?"
"I don't think I can quite tell till I've tried," said Esther, shaking all over, but striving to keep her fears to herself; "but I think it might be nice to have two little boys to take care of."
"To take care of, eh? You haven't enough on your hands as it is?"