Part 25 (1/2)
Mrs Howland glanced at her daughter Then all of a sudden, and quite unexpectedly, her faded face grew red She perceived an expression of inquiry in Maggie's eyes which rather frightened her
”It's all right,” she said ”Now that you've brought the things up, Tildy, leave theo When Mr Martin comes, show him up
Now leave us, and be quick about it”
Tildy departed, slairl is!” said Mrs Howland ”Well, I aet tidy I'll be back in a few ht when Mr Martin coie
”You will know presently,” said Mrs Howland ”It's about hi in a very uncomfortable ether--that is, when Maggie ith her -room Mrs Howland reie helped herself to a cup of tea, for she was feverishly hot and thirsty
Herwonderfully better, and in fact quite rejuvenated Her dress was fairly neat She had a slight color in her pale cheeks which considerably brightened her light-blue eyes Her faded hair was arranged with some neatness, and she had put on a white blouse and a blue alpaca skirt
”Oh reat relief, ”how much better you look now! I a back and giving up all my fun if I am a real comfort to you”
”I wouldn't have sent for you but for Mr Martin,” said Mrs Howland
”It was he ished it Yes, I ah I cannot honestly say that you are the cause It's the thought of seeing Mr
Martin that cheers me up; I must be tidy for him Yes, you may pour out a cup of tea fortea in the teapot for Mr Martin, for he cannot bear it weak He calls weak tea ash”
”But whoever is this ie
”I will tell you in a ive me one of those little cakes No, I couldn't stand estion isn't what it was; but I shall be all right by-and-by; so will you too, my dear And what I do, I do for you”
”Well, I wish you would tell ie ”You were always very peculiar, mums, always--even when dear father was alive--and you're not less so now”
”That's a very unkind way for a child to speak of her parent,” said Mrs Howland; ”but I can assure you, Maggie, that Mr Martin won't allow it in the future”
Maggie now sprang to her feet
”Good gracious, mother! What has Mr Martin to do with me? Is he--is he--it cannot be, mother!”
”Yes, I can,” said Mrs Howland ”Itocry in Maggie's voice No girl can stand with equaniie, with all her dreams of her own future, had never for an instant conteered for a ht spirit, er I want money, and comforts, and devotion, and the love of a faithful husband, and Mr
Martin will giveto adopt you too
He said so He has no children of his own I mean, when I say that, that his first family are all settled in life, and he says that he wouldn't object at all to a pleasant, lively girl in the house He wants you to leave school”
”Leave Aylie ”Oh no, mother!”
”I knew you'd reat dislike to what he calls fine folks He speaks of them as daisies, and he hates daisies”