Part 26 (1/2)
”I won't kiss you, Mr Martin,” said Maggie
”Oh, come, come--shy, is she? Let me tell you, Popsy-wopsy, that every man wouldn't want to kiss you--She is not a bit like you, et that queer little face? She is no beauty, and that I will say--Now, your ant woman; any one can see that she is a born aristocrat; but I hate 'em, my dear--hate 'em! I am one of those who vote for the abolition of the House of Lords Give me the Commons; no bloated Lords for me Well, you're a bit took aback, ain't you? Your s up very tidy while you were sporting in the country I like you all the better,plain I don't want no beauties except my beloved Victoria She's the wo? Eh dear! Eh dear! It's we three who'll have the fun--I'll take you right intoand coie! The overwhel contrast between this scene and the scenes of yesterday! The awful fact that heras Mr Martin overpowered her with such a sense of horror that for the time she felt quite dumb and stupid
Mr Martin, however, was in a radiant hu Mrs Howland, ”where's the tea! Poor Bo-peep wants his tea He's hungry and he's thirsty, is Bo-peep Little-sing will pour out Bo-peep's tea with her own pretty, elegant hands, and butter his muffins for him, and Cross-patch in the corner can keep herself quiet”
”May I go into our bedrooie at that juncture
”No,himself from a very comfortable position in the only easy-chair the roo to say to you, and when I have said it you ie, for the present,” said Mrs Howland
The poor wo had quite an agreeable tiether when they were alone She did not mind the boisterous attentions of her present swain; but with Maggie by there seeie ie walked to the , and, taking a low chair, sat down Her heart was beating heavily There was such a misery within her that she could scarcely contain herself Could anything be done to rescue her irl; but, clever as she was, she could see no way out
Meanwhile Mr Martin drank his tea with huge gulps, ate a quantity of ooseberries as not worth his attention, and then said, ”Now, Victoria, my dearest dear, I a--Come forward, Popsy-wopsy, and listen to what new pa intends to do for you”
Maggie rose, feeling that her limbs were turned to ice She crossed the room and stood before Mr Martin
”Well?” she said
”None of those airs, Popsy”
”I want to knohat youhard to keep her temper
”Well, ood ma, and he wants a nice 'ittle dirl to come and live with arden stocked with fruit-trees, a swing for good 'ittle dirl, a nice room for dear Popsy to sleep in, no more lessons, no more fuss, no more POVERTY! That's what new pa proposes to ma's 'ittle dirl What does 'ittle dirl say?”
There was a dead silence in the roohter Mr Martin had, however, still a jovial and so,” he said ”Tears ht say, 'Dearest pa that is to be, I love you with allto marry ma and to take n on the part of Maggie Howland of fulfilling these expectations on the part of the new pa On the contrary, she stood upright, and then said in a low voice, ”This has been a very great shock to me”
”Shock!” cried Martin ”What do you ie ”You must let me, sir; and, mother, you must let me It is for the last time Quite the last time I will never be here to offend you anyto his feet, and his red, good-huratitude for you! There'sher up?”
”Let s, sir
You are engaged to my mother”
”Ra-_ther_!” said Mr Martin ”My pretty birdling hopped, so to speak, intoback on the part of Little-sing She wanted her Bo-peep, and she--well, her Bo-peep wanted her”