'He gives me the proper sum, Miss Esther, I'm certain; but I can't make it do all it should do, to have things right and comfortable.'
'Do you have less than you used at the beginning of winter?'
'Yes, mum. I didn't want to trouble you, Miss Esther, for to be sure you can't do nothin' to help it; but it's just growin' slimmer and slimmer.'
'Never mind; I think I know how to mend matters by and by; if we can only get along for a little further. We must have some things, and my father likes fruit, you can get strawberries from Mrs. Blumenfeld down here, can you not?'
'No, mum,' said the housekeeper, looking embarrassed. 'She won't sell us nothin', that woman won't.'
'Will not sell us anything? I thought she was so kind. What is the matter? Is there not a good understanding between her and us?'
'There's too good an understanding, mum, and that's the truth. We don't want no favours from the likes o' her; and now Christopher'—
'What of Christopher?'
'Hain't he said nothin' to the colonel?'
'To papa? No. About what?'