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Walpole, Hugh, Sir, 1884-1941

"The Captives"

All my work's over here.
But I wanted to see you before I went. You remember another talk we
had here?"
"Very well," said Maggie.
"You remember what I told you?"
"You told me not to stay here," said Maggie.
"Yes, I did." said Miss Avies. "and I meant it. The matter with you
is that you've been kept here all this time without any proper work
to do and that's been very bad for you and made you sit with your
hands folded in front of you, your head filling with silly fancies."
Maggie couldn't help smiling at this description of herself.
"Oh, you smile," said Miss Avies vigorously, "but it's perfectly
true."
"Well, it's all right now." said Maggie, "because I am going away--
as soon as ever I'm well enough." "What to do?" asked Miss Avies.
"I don't quite know yet," said Maggie.
"Well, I know," said Miss Avies. "You're going away to brood over
that young man."
Maggie said nothing.
"Oh I know . . . It seems cruel of me to speak of it just when
you've had such a bad time, but it's kindness really. If I don't
force you to think it all out and face it properly you'll be burying
it in some precious spot and always digging it up to look at it.


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