Part 28 (1/2)

”Of course I do,” replied Maggie

Martin gazed at her from head to foot She was plain He rather liked her for that He ad up to hi would never stand up to hiirl was not the least like herhad none

”You'd make an admirable accountant, Popsy,” he said ”Hoould you like to take that post by-and-by inwould induce her to accept such a position, when a quick thought darted through herof her mother, for, alack and alas!

Mrs Howland was one of those weak characters who slip away frorasp thearity and awful pleasantry, was at least fairly strong

”Mr Martin,” said Maggie then, ”instead of going in to breakfast with ood meal, and let , ”you _are_ a girl! You have cheek! I a won't cost ”

”But under the circue ie

”There now, I ad from me, for a ruder 'ittle dirl than you were yesterday to poor Bo-peep could not have been found in the length and breadth of England”

”You could scarcely expect me to be pleased, sir The neas broken tojourney, too”

”Yes; and you vented your spite on me, on poor old Bo-peep, who has the kindest heart in Christendoret,” said Maggie; ”but, at any rate, I had the night to think ive me some breakfast I can talk to you”

”I will take you to Harrison's for breakfast,” said Martin ”You'll get a topper there, I can tell you--eggs, bacon, kidneys, liver, ga you fancy, and the best ry, and when the pair entered Harrison's she was not displeased at the liberal supply of food which her future stepfather ordered He pretended to hate the aristocracy, as he called theie could certainly never claim this distinction in her own little person Nevertheless, she was entirely superior to Martin, and he felt a sort of pride in her as she walked up the long restaurant by his side

”Noaiter,” he said to the man who approached to take orders, ”you look slippy This young 'o ive us the best the house contains; and look slippy, I say”

The waiter did look ”slippy,” whatever that word ie to really excellent viands and to satisfy hiie ate with a certain ary

”Like it, don't you?” said Martin as he watched her consus and bacon

”Oh yes, very ood tableyou'll have on all occasions and at every meal at Laburnum Villa We'll soon fill your poor et her rosy and plu to her own Bo-peep than ever”

Maggie was silent

”Coht about Laburnuie then