She had not realized how fond she was of this boy till
she saw once more that look in his eyes.
"Oh! Laurie, you know I didn't like it; but--but I don't know what to
do, I'm so sorry. But don't spoil it all," she said wildly, hardly
knowing what she feared.
"I beg your pardon?"
"You know what I mean. Don't spoil it, by--by fancying things."
"Maggie," said the boy quietly, "you must let me alone. You can't
help."
"Can't I?"
"You can't help," he repeated. "I must go my own way. Please don't say
any more. I can't stand it."
There followed a dead silence. Then Maggie recovered and stood up. He
rose with her.
"Forgive me, Laurie, won't you? I must say this. You'll remember I'll
always do anything I can, won't you?"
Then she was gone.
IV
The ladies went to bed early at Stantons. At ten o'clock precisely a
clinking of bedroom candlesticks was heard in the hall, followed by
the sound of locking doors. This was the signal. Mrs. Baxter laid
aside her embroidery with the punctuality of a religious at the sound
of a bell, and said two words--
"My dears."
There were occasionally exclamatory expostulations from the two at the
piquet-table, but in nine cases out of ten the game had been designed
with an eye upon the clock, and hardly any delay followed.
Pages:
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61