CHAPTER XI.
It is as useless to fight against the interpretations of ignorance as to whip the fog .-- GEORGE ELIOT.
The children, who had reached the pear stage, looked with round, awed eyes at "Auntie Hester" as she sat down at the luncheon-table beside the black bottle which marked her place.

The Gresleys were ardent total abstainers, and were of opinion that Hester's health would be greatly benefited by following their example.

But Hester's doctor differed from them--he was extremely obstinate--with the result that the Gresleys were obliged to tolerate the obnoxious bottle on their very table.

It was what Mrs.Gresley called a "cross," and Mr.Gresley was always afraid that the fact of its presence might become known and hopelessly misconstrued in Warpington and the world at large.
The children knew that Hester was in disgrace, as she vainly tried to eat the congealed slice of roast mutton, with blue slides in it, which had been put before her chair half an hour ago, when the joint was sent out for the servants' dinner.

The children liked "Auntie Hester," but without enthusiasm, except Regie, the eldest, who loved her as himself.
She could tell them stories, and make butterflies and horses and dogs out of paper, but she could never join in their games, not even in the delightful new ones she invented for them.