"Oh, not at all?" asked Esther in disappointed tones.
"Yes, I missed you, Esther, at first," he said, soothingly. "But there's such a lot to do and to think about. It's a new life."
"And have you been happy, Benjy?"
"Oh yes. Quite. Just think! Regular meals, with oranges and sweets and entertainments every now and then, a bed all to yourself, good fires, a mansion with a noble staircase and hall, a field to play in, with balls and toys—"
"A field!" echoed Esther. "Why it must be like going to Greenwich every day."
"Oh, better than Greenwich where they take you girls for a measly day's holiday once a year."
"Better than the Crystal Palace, where they take the boys?"
"Why, the Crystal Palace is quite near. We can see the fire-works every
Thursday night in the season."
Esther's eyes opened wider. "And have you been inside?"
"Lots of times."