"Why, Essie," she exclaimed, catching sight of her cousin's face. "You're ill, Essie; come in and sit down by the fire. I do hope to goodness you haven't gone and caught nothing."
"I have caught nothing," said Esther. "I am not ill."
She untied her bonnet strings and loosened her long straight cloak.
"Is father in, Cherry? I want to see him the minute he returns."
"You'll have to wait then," said Cherry, turning away in a half offended manner. If Esther did not choose to confide in her she was not going to force confidence.
She resumed her cooking with vigor, reading aloud portions from the volume on her knees as she did so.
"The Lady Jane was tall and slim;
The Lady Jane was fair——"
"Essie, I wish you wouldn't fidget so. Whatever is the matter?"
"I want my father," repeated Esther.
"Well, he's not in. Uncle's never back till an hour after this. I tell him he's more and more of a nurse and less and less of a clerk every day of his life; he don't like it, but it's true. That old Mr. Paget is past bearing."