"Why should I? I find I'm as good as any one else. I made
Martin love me--even though it was only for a moment. So I'm going
to be shy no longer."
"And here was I thinking you heart-broken," said Miss Avies.
"I'm going out into the world," said Maggie half to herself. "I'm
going to have adventures. I've been in this house long enough. I'm
going to see what men and women are really like--I know this isn't
real here. And I want to discover about religion too. Since Martin
went away I've felt that there was something in it. I can't think
what and the aunts can't think either; none of you know here, but
some one must have found out something. I'm going to settle what it
all means."
"You've got your work cut out," said Miss Avies. "I'll come and see
you again one day soon."
"Yes, do," said Maggie.
When Miss Avies had gone Maggie realised that she had been talking
with bravado--in fact she hid her head in the cushion of the chair
and cried for at least five minutes. Then she sat up and wiped her
eyes because she heard Aunt Anne coming. When Aunt Anne came towards
her now she was affected with a strange feeling of sickness.
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