Part 21 (1/2)
That girl is your own cousin, Aneta Lysle Then there is the other girl, Maggie Howland, who is ugly”
”Oh no--no!” said Merry affectionately
”Yes, darling,” said Maggie, using her ly”
”Not in ie, speaking with great calreat secret--I have never breathed it to a soul yet--that it would be iirl to be an inreat heart, had not offered her very special terms You will never breathe that, Merry, not even to Cicely?”
”Oh, poor Maggie!” said Merry, ”are you really--really as poor as that?”
”Church ot soot I have talent, and I have the power--the power of char I want most earnestly to be your special friend, Merry I have a very affectionate heart, and I love you and Cicely and Molly and Isabel irls I love you the best You co away froony There, I can't help it Forgive ie turned her face aside She had taken out her handkerchief and was pressing it to her eyes Real tears had filled theh
”Don't you think,” she said after a pause, ”that you, who are so rich in this world's goods, irl who loves you but who has got very little?”
”Indeed, indeed, I shall always love you, dear Maggie,” said Merry
”Then you will do what I want?”
”I don't like to make promises, and I am so much in the dark; but I can certainly say this--that, whatever happens, I shall be your friend at school I shall look to you to helpMerry?”
”Of course I shall I always intended to, and I think Cicely will do just the same”
”I don't want you to talk to Cicely about this She doesn't care for me as much as you do”
”Perhaps not quite,” said honest Merry
”Oh, I am sure--certain of it Then you will be my friend as I shall be yours, and e meet at Aylmer House you will talk of me to others as your friend?”
”Of course I shall”
”That's what I require The thought of your friendshi+p when I love you so passionately makes sunshi+ne in my heart I sha'n't be miserable at all to-morrow after what you have said I shall think of our pleasant talk under this great oak-tree; I shall recall this lovely, perfect day Merry, you have made me very happy!”
”But please understand,” said Merry, ”that, although I aive up Aneta”
”Certainly not, dear; only, don't take what you call sides It is quite reasonable to suppose that girls who have only just come to school would prefer to be there at first quite free and untra to a certain set immediately trammels you”
”Well, I, for one, will pro to any set,” said Merry ”Now, are you satisfied, Maggie?”
”Oh, truly I airls kissed very affectionately
Then Maggie said, ”Now I ah it were an after-thought, ”Of course you won't speak of this to any one?”