"You little savage," the Irishman said, angrily, as he grasped the child and shook him. "Let _me_ settle with Wathemah," said Esther, firmly. She stepped forward, and took him by the arm, and held him. "Go on," she said to the men, "I will follow." They sauntered on, leaving her with the refractory urchin. When she and the child finally overtook them, Wathemah's face was tear-stained. Nothing more was said to the child until they reached the Clayton door. "I guess you had better go back now, dear," Esther said, placing her hand on Wathemah's shoulder. "No," he said stoutly, "Mrs. Clayton ask Wathemah he Miss Bright party." "Oh, yes," she said, with sudden understanding, "you came to celebrate my birthday, didn't you?" He nodded. "You want me to wash your face and hands, don't you, Wathemah?" she asked. And off she went with the child. "By George," said Lord Kelwin, "I never saw such a woman." "Nor I," returned Kenneth. "There is no other like her." The other whistled, and Kenneth flushed. His companion went on, "I'd like to know if she really has a fortune." "Better ask her." Lord Kelwin did not observe the look of contempt on Kenneth's face. But host and hostess had entered the spacious room, and were extending gracious welcomes. "Does either of you happen to know of the whereabouts of Miss Bright?" questioned Mr. Clayton. On learning of her arrival with them, he rallied them on spiriting her off. In the midst of the raillery, Esther and Wathemah entered the room. The latter found his way at once to Mr. Clayton's side, for they were great friends. The entrance of Esther was the signal for further badinage. "John, what do you think of a young lady who tells her escort she supposes she'll have to endure him?" "Mr. Clayton," she said, with a saucy tilt of her head, "what do you think of gentlemen who tell a lady they would like to flirt with her?" "That depends," he answered, with a broad smile, "upon who the lady is. Now if I were not a staid married man--" "You do not answer my question," she said. "You introduce an altogether extraneous matter. I asked you what you thought of gentlemen who would tell a lady they would like to flirt with her." Here both Lord Kelwin and Kenneth Hastings tried to present their cases. Esther raised her hand. "Would you not consider this great frivolity, Mr. Clayton?" And she assumed a prim, shocked expression so funny that all laughed. "If you wish to know my candid opinion," he said, with the air of a judge, "I believe they were within the law; but, if they were guilty offenders, they have my sympathy." Wathemah looked from one to another with a puzzled expression as he listened to their laughter. He seemed to sense the fact that his Beloved was in some way the butt of their fun. In a moment he had slid from his place on John Clayton's knee, and was standing leaning against Esther. "That's right, Wathemah," she said, pretending to be greatly injured, "you take my part."