'But, papa, it would not hurt me to be a governess for a while; it would do me no sort of hurt; and it would help our finances. There is another thing I could teach—mathematics.'
'I have settled that question,' said the colonel, going back to his book.
'Papa,' said the girl after a pause, 'may I give lessons enough to pay for the lessons that are given me?'
'No.'
'But, papa, it troubles me very much, the thought that we are living beyond our means; and on my account.' And Esther now looked troubled.
'Leave all that to me.'
Well, it was all very well to say, 'Leave that to me;' but Esther had a strong impression that matters of this sort, so left, would not meet very thorough attention. There was an interval here of some length, during which she was pondering and trying to get up her courage to go on.
'Papa,'—she broke the silence doubtfully,—'I do not want to disturb you, but I must speak a little more. Perhaps you can explain; I want to understand things better. Papa, do you know Barker has still less money now to do the marketing with than she had last year?'
'Well, what do you want explained?' The tone was dry and not encouraging.
'Papa, she cannot get the things you want.'