Part 47 (1/2)
”Who brought this?” asked Maggie
”A person who called herself Tildy”
Maggie held the letter unopened in her lap
”Why don't you read it?” said Aneta
Maggie took it up and glanced at the handwriting Then she put it down again
”It's froine,” said Aneta, ”anybody waiting even for one moment to read a letter which one's own mother has written My mother is dead, you know”
She spoke in a low tone, and her pretty eyelashes rested on her softly rounded cheeks
Maggie looked at her ”Why did you bring me up here, Aneta, away froive ht you would rather have it in private,” said Aneta
”You thought ht ie's queer, narrow, eyes flashed fire Suddenly she stood up ”You have soo”
”I don't think you ie; for what I have to say cannot be said in a ive up your leisure hours to-day”
”I cannot Our entertainment is on Saturday”
”The entertainment must wait,” said Aneta ”It is of no consequence compared to what I have to say to you”
”Oh, have it out!” said Maggie ”You were always spying and prying on me You always hated me I don't knohat I have done to you I'd have left you alone if you had left me alone; but you have interfered with me and ie struggled with her es twice as bad”
”Do you really, really think that, Maggie? Please don't say any more, then, until you hear me out to the end I will tell you as quickly as possible; I will put you out of suspense I could have s very different for you, but at least I will put you out of suspense”
”Well, go on; I a to listen I hope you will be brief”
”It is this, Maggie I will say nothing about your past; I sih no fault of irls of this school to understand that your entleman of old family The person called Tildy told entleie clutched one of her hands so tightly that the nails alie, by saying entle asped Such words as these from the proud Aneta!
”But there is worse to follow,” continued Aneta ”I happened to go to Pearce's to-day”
Maggie, who had half-risen, sank back again in her seat