had resigned my position as private secretary to Mrs. Sewall. She asked no questions but she made her own slow deductions.
I must have impressed her as restless and not very happy that night. I caught her looking at me suspiciously, once or twice, over her gold-bowed reading-glasses. Once she inquired if I was ill, or felt feverish. My cheeks did burn.
"Oh, no," I said, "but I guess I'll go to bed. It's almost midnight."
Esther took off her glasses and rubbed her eyes.
"One gets tired, sometimes, climbing," she observed. I waited. "The trail up the mountain of Self-discovery is not an easy one. One's unaccustomed feet get sore, and one's courage wavers when the trail sometimes creeps along precipices or shoots steeply up over rocks. But I think the greatest test comes when the little hamlets appear—quiet, peaceful little spots, with smoke curling out of the chimneys of nestling houses. They offer such peace and comfort for weary feet. It's then one is tempted to throw away the mountain-staff and accept the invitation of the open door and welcoming hearth."
"Oh, Esther," I exclaimed, "were you afraid I was going to throw away my mountain-staff?"
"Oh, no, no. I was simply speaking figuratively." She would not be personal.
"I'm not such a poor climber as all that," I went on. "I am a bit discouraged tonight. You've guessed it, but I am not for giving up."
