She is a wise
woman who knows many things. My sister and I are not strong enough
to deal with you, and we are weakened perhaps by our love for you."
"I don't want to go to-night," Maggie said, then she burst out: "Oh,
can't I lead an ordinary life like other girls--be free and find
things out for myself, not only go by what older people tell me--
earn my living and be free? I've never lived an ordinary life. Life
with Father wasn't fair, and now--"
Aunt Anne put out her arm and drew her towards her. "Poor
Maggie . . . Aren't you unfair to us? Do you suppose really that we
don't love you? Do you think that I don't understand? You shall be
free, afterwards, if you wish--perfectly free--but you must have the
opportunity of learning what this life is first, what the love of
God is, what the companionship of Him is. If after you have seen you
still reject it, we will not try to keep you. But it is God's will
that you stay with us for a time."
"How do you know that it is God's will?" asked Maggie, melted
nevertheless, as she always was by any sign of affection.
"He has told me," Aunt Anne answered, and then closed her eyes.
Pages:
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286