'And you, Pitt? what are you going to do?'
It was the first time she had called him by his name in the old fashion. He acknowledged it with a pleased glance.
'Don't you know all about me?' he said.
'I know nothing, but what you have told me. And hearsay,' added Esther, colouring a little.
'Did your father not tell you?'
'Papa told me nothing.' And therewith it occurred to Esther how odd it was that her father should have been so reticent; that he should not have so much as informed her who his visitor had been. And then it also occurred to her how he had desired not to be called down to see anybody that morning. Then it must be that he did not want to see Pitt? Had he taken a dislike to him? disapproved of his marriage, perhaps? And how would luncheon be under these circumstances? One thought succeeded another in growing confusion, but then Pitt began to talk, and she was obliged to attend to him.
'Then your father did not tell you that I have become a householder too?'
'I—no—yes! I heard something said about it,' Esther answered, stammering.
'He told you of my old uncle's death and gift to me?'
'No, nothing of that. What is it?'