xpect me to?" said Maggie. "I've got no history. I lived in
Glebeshire most of my life with my father, who was a clergyman. Then he
died and I lived with two aunts in London. Then I met Paul and he
married me, and here I am!"

"That's not history," said Mr. Toms a little impatiently. "However, I
won't bother you now. You're only a child, I see. And I'm very glad to
see it. I don't like grown up people."

"How do you like Skeaton?" asked Miss Toms, speaking more graciously
than she had done.

"Oh I shall like it, I expect," said Maggie. "At least I shall like the
people. I don't think I shall ever like the place--the sand blows
about, and I don't like the woods."

"Yes, they're greasy, aren't they?" said Mr. Toms, "and full of little
flies. And the trees are dark and never cool--"

They talked a little while longer, and then Maggie got up to say
good-bye. When she took Mr. Tom's hand and felt his warm confident
pressure, and saw his large trusting eyes looking into hers, she felt a
warmth of friendliness, also it seemed to her that she had known him
all her life.

Miss Toms came with her to the door. They looked out into the dark. The
sea rustled close at hand, far on the horizon a red light was burning
as though it were a great fire. They could hear the wave break on the
beach and sigh in the darkness as it withdrew.

"I shall come again," said Maggie.

"Don't you be too sure," said Miss Toms. "We shall quite understand if
you don't come, and we shan't think the worse of you. Public opinion
here is very strong. They don't want to be unkind to Jim, but they
think he ought to be shut up ...Shut up!" Maggie could feel that she
was quivering. "Shut up!"

Maggie tossed her head.

"Anyway, they haven't shut me up yet," she said.

"Well--good-night," said Miss Toms, after a little pause in which she
appeared to be struggling to say more.

She told Grace and Paul at supper that night that she had been to see
the Toms. She saw Grace struggling not to show her disapproval and
thought it was nice of her.

"Do you really think--?" said Grace. "Oh, perhaps, after all--"

"Paul," said Maggie, "do you not want me to see the Toms?"

Paul was distressed.

"No, it isn't that ...Miss Toms is a very nice woman. Only--"

"You think it's not natural of me to take an interest in some one who's
a little off his head like Mr. Toms."

"Well, dear, perhaps there is something--"

Maggie laughed. "I'm a little off my head t