IfithadnotbeenforLaurie，andoldEsther，themaid，shefeltthatshenevercouldhavegotthroughthatdreadfultime。Theparrotalonewasenoughtodriveherdistracted，forhesoonfeltthatshedidnotadmirehim，andrevengedhimselfbybeingasmischievousaspossible。Hepulledherhairwhenevershecamenearhim，upsethisbreadandmilktoplagueherwhenshehadnewlycleanedhiscage，madeMopbarkbypeckingathimwhileMadamdozed，calledhernamesbeforecompany，andbehavedinallrespectslikeanreprehensibleoldbird。Thenshecouldnotendurethedog，afat，crossbeastwhosnarledandyelpedatherwhenshemadehistoilet，andwholayonhisbackwithallhislegsintheairandamostidioticexpressionofcountenancewhenhewantedsomethingtoeat，whichwasaboutadozentimesaday。Thecookwasbad-tempered，theoldcoachmanwasdeaf，andEsthertheonlyonewhoevertookanynoticeoftheyounglady。
EstherwasaFrenchwoman，whohadlivedwith`Madame’，asshecalledhermistress，formanyyears，andwhorathertyrannizedovertheoldlady，whocouldnotgetalongwithouther。
HerrealnamewasEstelle，butAuntMarchorderedhertochangeit，andsheobeyed，onconditionthatshewasneveraskedtochangeherreligion。ShetookafancytoMademoiselle，andamusedherverymuchwithoddstoriesofherlifeinFrance，whenAmysatwithherwhileshegotupMadam’slaces。Shealsoallowedhertoroamaboutthegreathouse，andexaminethecuriousandprettythingsstoredawayinthebigwardrobesandtheancientchests，forAuntMarchhoardedlikeamagpie。Amy’schiefdelightwasanIndiancabinet，fullofqueerdrawers，littlepigeonholes，andsecretplaces，inwhichwerekeptallsortsofornaments，someprecious，somemerelycurious，allmoreorlessantique。
ToexamineandarrangethesethingsgaveAmygreatsatisfaction，especiallythejewelcases，inwhichonvelvetcushionsreposedtheornamentswhichhadadornedabellefortyyearsago。TherewasthegarnetsetwhichAuntMarchworewhenshecameout，thepearlsherfathergaveheronherweddingday，herlover’sdiamonds，thejetmourningringsandpins，thequeerlockets，withportraitsofdeadfriendsandweepingwillowsmadeofhairinside，thebabybraceletsheronelittledaughterhadworn，UncleMarch’sbigwatch，withtheredsealsomanychildishhandshadplayedwith，andinaboxallbyitselflayAuntMarch’sweddingring，toosmallnowforherfatfinger，butputcarefullyawaylikethemostpreciousjewelofthemall。
“WhichwouldMademoisellechooseifshehadherwill？“askedEsther，woalwayssatneartowatchoverandlockupthevaluables。