But she couldn't speak to him about
that, she couldn't say anything to him at all. He cleared his throat
as though he were embarrassed and were conscious that he had been
making a fool of himself. Maggie felt that he was disappointed in
her. She was sorry for that, but she was as she was.
"Well, I'm glad you're happy," he said, looking at her wistfully. He
got up and stood awkwardly looking at her.
"I want you to promise me something," he said, "that's really what I
came for. I want you to promise that you won't in any case leave
your aunts before the New Year."
She got up, looked at him and gave him her hand.
"Yes," she said. "I promise that."
The year had only a week or two more to run and she was not afraid
of that little space of time. He seemed to want to say something
more, but after hesitating he suddenly made a bolt for the door and
she could hear him stumbling downstairs.
She forgot him almost as soon as he had left the house, but his
words nevertheless brought her to consider her aunts. Next morning
at breakfast time she had a further reason to consider them. Aunt
Elizabeth met her, when she came downstairs, with a very grave face.
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