that we both decided would just do for mother; and a smaller one at
the back, that, after a few minutes' deliberation, I allotted to
Carrie.

It caused me an envious pang or two before I yielded it, for I knew
I must share a large upper room with Jack; the little room behind it
must be for Dot, and the larger one would by-and-by be Allan's. I
confess my heart sank a little when I thought of Jack's noisiness and
thriftless ways; but when I remembered how fond she was of good
books, and the great red-leaved diary that lay on her little table, I
thought it better that Carrie should have a quiet corner to herself,
and then she would be near mother.

If only Jack could be taught to hold her tongue sometimes, and keep
her drawers in order, instead of strewing her room with muddy boots
and odd items of attire! Well, perhaps it might be my mission to
train Jack to more orderly habits. I would set her a good example,
and coax her to follow it. She was good-tempered and affectionate,
and perhaps I should find her sufficiently pliable. I was so lost in
these anxious thoughts that Allan had left me unperceived. I found
him in the back parlor, seated on the table, and looking about him
rather gloomily.

"I say, Esther!" he called out, as soon as he caught sight of me, "I
am afraid mother and Carrie will find this rather shabby after the
dear old rooms at Combe Manor. Could we not furbish it up a little?"
And Allan looked discontentedly at the ugly curtains and little,
straight horse-hair sofa. Everything had grown rather shabby, only
Uncle Geoffrey had not found it out.