'Who dared to get hay and oats in my name and leave it unpaid for?'
'Christopher had not the money, papa; and the horse must eat.'
'Not without my order!' said the colonel. 'I will send Christopher about his own business. He should have come to me.'
There was a little pause here. The whole discussion was exceedingly painful to Esther; yet it must be gone through, and it must be brought to some practical conclusion. While she hesitated, the colonel began again.
'Did you not tell me that the fellow had some ridiculous foolery with the market woman over here?'
'I did not put it just so, papa, I think,' said Esther, smiling in spite of her pain. 'Yes, he is married to her.'
'Married!' cried the colonel. 'Married, do you say? Has he had the impudence to do that?'
'Why not, sir? Why not Christopher as well as another man?'
'Because he is my servant, and had no permission from me to get married while he was in my service. He did not ask permission.'
'I suppose he dared not, papa. You know you are rather terrible when you are displeased. But I think it is a good thing for us that he is married. Mrs. Blumenfeld is a good woman, and Christopher is disposed of, whatever we do.'