'I came as soon as I could,' he said. 'Oh, I knew you would! Sit down here, Pitt. Papa is sleeping; he had a headache. I am so glad you have come!' 'How is the colonel?' 'He says he's not well. I don't know.' 'And, Queen Esther, how are you?' 'Oh, I'm well.' 'Are you sure?' 'Why, certainly, Pitt. What should be the matter with me? There is never anything the matter with me.' 'I should say, a little too much thinking,' said Pitt, regarding her. 'Oh, but I have to think,' said Esther soberly. 'Not at all necessary, nor in my opinion advisable. There are other people in the world whose business it is to do the thinking. Leave it to them. You cannot do it, besides.' 'Who will do my thinking for me?' asked Esther, with a look and a smile which would have better fitted twice her years; a look of wistful inquiry, a smile of soft derision. 'I will,' said Pitt boldly. 'Will you? Oh, Pitt, I would like to ask you something! But not now,' she added immediately. 'Another time. Now, tell me about college.' He did tell her. He gave her details of things he told no one else. He allowed her to know of his successes, which Pitt was too genuinely modest and manly to enlarge upon even to his father and mother; but to these childish eyes and this implicit trusting, loving, innocent spirit, he gave the infinite pleasure of knowing what he had secretly enjoyed alone, in the depths of his own mind. It pleased him to share it with Esther. As for her, her interest and sympathy knew no bounds.