"  I  don't  think  I  can  quite  tell  till  I've  tried/'
said  Esther,  shaking  all  over,  but  striving  to  keep
her  fears  to  herself  ;  "  but  I  think  it  might  be  nice
to  have  two  little  boys  to  take  care  of."

"  To  take  care  of,  eh  ?  You  haven't  enough
on  your  hands  as  it  is?  "

"  I  used  often  to  wish  I'd  a  brother  or  a  sister
to  play  with;  that  was  before  papa  died.  Since
then  I  haven't  had  so  much  time  to  think  about
it,  but  perhaps  it  would  be  pleasant.''

"  You  do  play  sometimes  then  ?  "

"  Yes ;  when  the  little  Polperrans  come  to  see
me,  or  when  I  go  to  see  them."

"  And  you  know  how  to  do  it  when  you  try?  "

Esther  was  a  little  puzzled,  and  answered  doubt-

fully-

"  I  know  how  to  play  the  games  they  play.  I
don't  know  any  besides."

Mr.  Trelawny  suddenly  flung  her  hand  away
from  him  and  burst  into  a  great  laugh.
"  I  think  I  shall  advise  your  mother  to  import
these  two  young  monkeys,"  he  said  over  his
shoulder ;  and  to  Esther's  great  relief,  she  was
allowed  to  walk  the  rest  of  the  way  home  by  her-


A  LITTLE   MANAGER.  25

self,  Mr.  Trelawny  striding  on  at  a  great  rate,  and
muttering  to  himself  all  the  while,  as  was  his
habit.
Later  on,  when  he  had  gone  back  again,  and
Esther  crept  in  her  mouse-like  fashion  to  her
mother's  side,  she  found  her  closing  a  letter  she
had  just  written.
