'I never comprehended just why you went away from Seaforth.'
'For my education, I believe.'
'You were getting a very good education when I was there!'
'When you were there,' repeated Esther, smiling; but then she went on quickly: 'Papa thought he could not give me all the advantages he wished, if we stayed in Seaforth. So we came to New York. And now, you see, I am able to provide for him. The education is turning to account.'
'How?' asked Pitt suddenly.
'I help out his small income by giving lessons.'
'You, giving lessons? Not that, Esther!'
'Why not?' she said quietly. 'The thing given one to do is the thing to do, you know; and this certainly was given me. And by means of that we get along nicely.'
Again Pitt's eye glanced over the scanty little apartment. What sort of 'getting along' was it which kept them here?
'What do you teach?' he asked, speaking out of a confusion of thoughts the one thing that occurred which it was safe to say.