"Well!" sitting up and clasping her hands tight in an ecstasy of pleasure, "you know Miss Row has friends staying with her." "Yes; but I don't see much in that to be excited about," said Esther. "Well, one of them is called Mr. Somerset, and he is a musician, and he-- he heard me sing. Miss Row made me sing on purpose. I was awfully frightened, but I got through all right, and--and what _do_ you think he said?" Esther felt the old demon jealousy clutching at her heart at once. "I don't know, I'm sure," she said coldly. "Do tell if you are going to, Penelope. I am too busy to wait." "Oh, what?" gasped Angela, with eager, questioning eyes. "He said,"--in an impressive, almost awed voice--"he said I had the promise of a very fine voice, and--and no expense ought to be spared in training it!" Penelope repeated the words slowly, like one in a dream. "Oh, Pen!" Angela gasped, almost speechless with delight, "did he really?" Pen nodded. "What nonsense!" said Esther, in a strained voice, quite unlike her usual tones. Angela turned on her reproachfully. "Essie, aren't you glad?" "Of course I am," snapped Esther shortly; "but it is so silly to put such things into people's heads when there _is_ no money. I suppose he thinks we all ought to give up everything for this, and--and never thinks that the rest of us might like to--to have lessons--" Esther really did not mean a tenth of the hard things she was saying, and she hated herself for saying them, but that wretched temper of hers got the upper hand of her again. She knew she was being mean and unkind, and it added to her vexation; but she had not the strength of will to get the better of it. In her calmer moments she longed to be one of those who could rise above such mean jealousies, and be unselfish and brave and strong, but when the trial came she succumbed. Penelope was too lost in happy dreams, though, to heed or be hurt by Esther's remarks. "Of course I can't have it trained, but all the same I _am_ glad I have a nice voice," she said in a happy, dreamy voice. "Fancy me, _me_, with a beautiful voice! Isn't it strange? Doesn't it seem as though it can't be true? Oh, I _am_ so happy!" "I always loved to hear you sing, dear," said Angela, seating herself on the ground at Penelope's feet and hugging her sister's knees. "And, Pen, just imagine if you could have lessons, and could sing at concerts, and everybody wanted to hear you, and you made lots and lots of money--wouldn't it be _lovely_! Esther, come and sit down and talk about what we would do if Pen were famous and made a heap of money." Angela never doubted that what good fortune came to one would be shared by all. "Come and sit here, Esther." "It will be Penelope's money," said Esther coldly. "It would be for her to say what she would do with it, not for us. I am busy; I can't stay talking nonsense," and away she walked out of the room, leaving Penelope and Angela with their spirits considerably lowered.