I just looked in to ask
whether Maggie might come and have dinner with me at my little place
to-night. It's a most respectable place--I'll come and fetch her, of
course, and bring her back afterwards."
Of course Aunt Anne could not refuse, but oh! how Maggie saw that
she wanted to! The battle that followed was silent. Uncle Mathew's
eyes narrowed themselves to fiery malicious points; he dropped them
and moved his feet restlessly on the soft carpet.
"Quite respectable!" he repeated.
Aunt Anne smiled gently. "Why, of course, Mathew. I know you'll look
after Maggie. It will be a change for her. She's been having rather
a dull time here, I'm afraid."
Then there was silence. Maggie wanted to speak, but the words would
not come, and she had the curious sensation that even if she did
find them no one would hear them.
Then Uncle Mathew suddenly said good-bye, stumbled over his boots by
the door, shot out, "Seven o'clock, Maggie"--and was gone.
"Well, that will be nice for you, Maggie," said Anne, looking at
her.
"Yes," said Maggie. "You don't mind, do you?"
"No dear, of course not."
"What do you want me to do?" Maggie broke out desperately.
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