Since Esther had been managing in the Director's home she had always felt the honor of the house to be her own.

Full of resentment, she was standing behind her master, who was shaking hands as a last farewell.
Miss Mina was looking towards the other side, where Cornelli stood: "Won't you even give me your hand?
This is not very friendly of you.
That is just the way you are," she said to the child in a low voice.
Now Esther broke forth: "Miss Mina," she called out as loudly as she could, "please be so kind as to tell the ladies on the trip who left the dusty marks on the sofa by standing on it.

They were not from a child's shoe." Mina blushed a deep scarlet and Miss Dorner, full of astonishment, looked at her glowing face.

She expected a fitting retort, but none came.
"Go ahead, Matthew," Miss Dorner ordered excitedly.

She did not desire a further explanation.
Mr.Hellmut had moved away.
Cornelli now took Esther's broad hand inside both her own and pressed it hard.