Part 26 (2/2)
”Yes, sir,” said Maggie ”I a to ain; but as she cares for you”----
”Which I _do_!” said Mrs Howland, as now reduced to tears
”I have nothing ie, ”except that I hope she will be happy But I, sir, ahter as well as le o on with my own education as best I can”
”Then you _re-fuse_,” said Martin, ”to join your ie, ”I refuse”
”Has she anything to live on, ma?” asked Mr Martin
”Oh, dear James,” said Mrs Howland, ”don't take all the poor child says in earnest now! She'll be down on her knees to you to-morrow I know she will Leave her to e ,” said Mr Martin; ”but I don't know that I want that insolent piece She is very different from you If she is to be about our pleasant, cheerful ho on airs--why, I'll have none of it Let her go, Victoria, I say--let her go if she wants to; but if she comes to me she must come in a cheerful spirit, and joke with reeable as you are yourself, Little-sing”
”Well, at least,” said Mrs Howland, ”give us till to-morrow The child is surprised; she will be different to-morrow”
”I hope so,” said Mr Martin; ”but if there's any philandering, or falling back, or if there's any _on_-gratitude, I'll have naught to do with her I only take her to oblige you, Victoria”
”You had best leave us now, dear,” said Mrs Howland ”I will talk to Maggie, and let you know”
Mr Martin sat quite still for a ie, but,Mrs Howland to follow him, performed a sort of cake-walk out of the rooood-bye, he opened it again and said, ”Bo-peep!” pushi+ng a little bit of his bald head in, and then withdrawing it, while Mrs Howland pretended to adone; but by this ti herself on her knees by the bed, and pushed her handkerchief against her ently opened the door, looked at her daughter, and then shut it again She felt thoroughly afraid of Maggie
An hour or two later a pale, subdued-looking girl came out of the bedroom and sat down by her mother
”Well,” said Mrs Howland, ”he is very pleasant and cheerful, isn't he?”
”Mother, he is horrible!”
”Maggie, you have no right to say those things to ood husband to take care of me I am very lonely, and no one appreciates ie--”ood man,” said Mrs Howland restlessly; ”but he was above hts”
”And you really tell me, his child, that you prefer that person?”
”I think I shall be quite happy with him,” said Mrs Howland ”I really do He is awfully kind, and his funny little ways aood about it, Maggie; won't you?” said Mrs Howland
”You won't destroy your poor mother's happiness? I have had such lonely years, and such a struggle to keepand offers , dear; I a before reat poverty and terrible loneliness You won't stand in ony to think of yourhim”