We can take our share and there will be enough left, surely as much as is good for her." "I won't let you have it," said Esther, firmly pressing her arm to the table as a sign that she would stay there.

"The child must have something that will help her to swallow all the cross words she hears all day," she continued.

"What was wrong again this morning, when there was such a scene in the living room ?" "It was nothing," replied Mina.

"There were a few marks of dust on the sofa, and the ladies thought that Cornelli had been standing on it.
The child would not admit it and so the ladies kept on accusing her till Cornelli set up a senseless row." "I really think, Miss Mina, that you could have given an explanation," said Esther with a sly smile.

"If one has to wind up the clock, it is quicker to jump up on the sofa than to push the heavy thing away.