"How changed it is!" I said again.
"Why, so it is," he answered much more cheerfully; "and it is wisdom in you to keep me to the bright side of the picture." (The idea of my wisdom!) "These are things I never talk about or even think about, excepting in the growlery here. If you consider it right to mention them to Rick and Ada," looking seriously at me, "you can. I leave it to your discretion, Esther."
"I hope, sir--" said I.
"I think you had better call me guardian, my dear."

"How changed this house is!" I said again.
"Why, so it is," he answered much more cheerfully; "and you are wise to keep me to the bright side of the picture." (The idea of me being wise!) "These are things I never think about, except in the growlery here. If you consider it right to mention them to Rick and Ada, you can. I leave it to your discretion, Esther."
"I hope, sir-" said I.
"I think you had better call me guardian, my dear."
