'Why, papa? Had you forgotten?'
'At the moment.' Then he began again. 'I sent your letter off.'
'Thank you, papa.'
'It was sealed up. Why did you seal it? Did you mean me not to read it?'
Esther's eyes opened. 'I never thought about it, papa. I didn't know you would care to read it. I thought it must be sealed, and I sealed it.'
'I did care to read it, so I opened it. Had you any objection?'
'No, papa!' said Esther, wondering.
'And having opened it, I read it. I did not quite understand it,
Esther.'
Esther made no reply.
'What do you want comfort so much for, my child? I thought you were happy—as happy as other children.'