第32章

IfithadnotbeenforLaurie，andoldEsther，themaid，shefeltthatshenevercouldhavegotthroughthatdreadfultime。Theparrotalonewasenoughtodriveherdistracted，forhesoonfeltthatshedidnotadmirehim，andrevengedhimselfbybeingasmischievousaspossible。Hepulledherhairwhenevershecamenearhim，upsethisbreadandmilktoplagueherwhenshehadnewlycleanedhiscage，madeMopbarkbypeckingathimwhileMadamdozed，calledhernamesbeforecompany，andbehavedinallrespectslikeanreprehensibleoldbird。Thenshecouldnotendurethedog，afat，crossbeastwhosnarledandyelpedatherwhenshemadehistoilet，andwholayonhisbackwithallhislegsintheairandamostidioticexpressionofcountenancewhenhewantedsomethingtoeat，whichwasaboutadozentimesaday。Thecookwasbad-tempered，theoldcoachmanwasdeaf，andEsthertheonlyonewhoevertookanynoticeoftheyounglady。

EstherwasaFrenchwoman，whohadlivedwith`Madame’，asshecalledhermistress，formanyyears，andwhorathertyrannizedovertheoldlady，whocouldnotgetalongwithouther。

HerrealnamewasEstelle，butAuntMarchorderedhertochangeit，andsheobeyed，onconditionthatshewasneveraskedtochangeherreligion。ShetookafancytoMademoiselle，andamusedherverymuchwithoddstoriesofherlifeinFrance，whenAmysatwithherwhileshegotupMadam’slaces。Shealsoallowedhertoroamaboutthegreathouse，andexaminethecuriousandprettythingsstoredawayinthebigwardrobesandtheancientchests，forAuntMarchhoardedlikeamagpie。Amy’schiefdelightwasanIndiancabinet，fullofqueerdrawers，littlepigeonholes，andsecretplaces，inwhichwerekeptallsortsofornaments，someprecious，somemerelycurious，allmoreorlessantique。

ToexamineandarrangethesethingsgaveAmygreatsatisfaction，especiallythejewelcases，inwhichonvelvetcushionsreposedtheornamentswhichhadadornedabellefortyyearsago。TherewasthegarnetsetwhichAuntMarchworewhenshecameout，thepearlsherfathergaveheronherweddingday，herlover’sdiamonds，thejetmourningringsandpins，thequeerlockets，withportraitsofdeadfriendsandweepingwillowsmadeofhairinside，thebabybraceletsheronelittledaughterhadworn，UncleMarch’sbigwatch，withtheredsealsomanychildishhandshadplayedwith，andinaboxallbyitselflayAuntMarch’sweddingring，toosmallnowforherfatfinger，butputcarefullyawaylikethemostpreciousjewelofthemall。

“WhichwouldMademoisellechooseifshehadherwill？“askedEsther，woalwayssatneartowatchoverandlockupthevaluables。

“Ilikethediamondsbest，butthereisnonecklaceamongthem，andI’mfondofnecklaces，theyaresobecoming。IshouldchoosethisifImight，“repliedAmy，lookingwithgreatadmirationatastringofgoldandebonybeadsfromwhichhungaheavycrossofthesame。

“I，too，covetthat，butnotasanecklace。Ah，no!Tomeitisarosary，andassuchIshoulduseitlikeagoodcatholic，“saidEsther，eyeingthehandsomethingwistfully。

“Isitmeanttouseasyouusethestringofgood-smellingwoodenbeadshangingoveryourglass？“askedAmy。

“Truly，yes，topraywith。Itwouldbepleasingtothesaintsifoneusedsofinearosaryasthis，insteadofwearingitasavainbijou。“

“Youseemtotakeagreatdealofcomfortinyourprayers，Esther，andalwayscomedownlookingquietandsatisfied。IwishIcould。“

“IfMademoisellewasaCatholic，shewouldfindtruecomfort，butasthatisnottobe，itwouldbewellifyouwentaparteachdaytomeditateandpray，asdidthegoodmistresswhomIservedbeforeMadame。Shehadalittlechapel，andinitfoundsolacementformuchtrouble。“

“Woulditberightformetodosotoo？“askedAmy，whoinherlonelinessfelttheneedofhelpofsomesort，andfoundthatshewasapttoforgetherlittlebook，nowthatBethwasnottheretoremindherofit。

“Itwouldbeexcellentandcharming，andIshallgladlyarrangethelittledressingroomforyouifyoulikeit。SaynothingtoMadame，butwhenshesleepsgoyouandsitaloneawhiletothinkgoodthoughts，andpraythedearGodpreserveyoursister。“

Estherwastrulypious，andquitesincereinheradvice，forshehadanaffectionateheart，andfeltmuchforthesistersintheiranxiety。Amylikedtheidea，andgaveherleavetoarrangethelightclosetnextherroom，hopingitwoulddohergood。

“IwishIknewwherealltheseprettythingswouldgowhenAuntMarchdies，“shesaid，assheslowlyreplacedtheshiningrosaryandshutthejewelcasesonebyone。

“Toyouandyoursisters。Iknowit，Madameconfidesinme。

Iwitnessedherwill，anditistobeso，“whisperedEsthersmiling。

“Hownice!ButIwishshe’dletushavethemnow。