They SHAN'T . . . If Uncle Mathew were here . . ."
She broke off suddenly, breathless, staring at Mr. Magnus as though
she had not been aware until now that he was in the room. To say
that her outburst astonished him was to put it very mildly indeed.
She had always been so quiet and restrained; she had seemed so happy
and tranquil.
He blushed, pushed his spectacles with his fingers, then finally
stammered:
"I'd no idea--that--that you hated it so much."
She was quiet and composed again. "I don't hate it," she answered
very calmly. "Only they shan't tie me--no one shall. And in the
house it's as though some one were watching behind every door. It
used to be just the same at home. When people think a lot about
religion something seems to get into a place. Why, truly, Mr.
Magnus, I've wondered once or twice lately, in spite of myself,
whether they mayn't be right after all and God's going to come in a
chariot and set the world on fire."
"It sounds silly, but when you see the way Aunt Anne and Mr. Warlock
believe things it almost makes them true."
Maggie finally added: "You mustn't think me selfish.
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