ation made her life more or less endurable in the fusty, musty
lodgings. She had always cultivated Tildy's good will, and she thought
of the girl now with a strange sense of pity.

"Compared to her, I suppose I am well off," thought Maggie. "I have
only five weeks at the most to endure this misery; then there will be
Aylmer House."

She opened the drawing-room door and entered. Mrs. Howland was lying
on a sofa, which was covered with faded rep and had a broken spring.
She had a handkerchief wrung out of aromatic vinegar over her
forehead. Her eyes were shut, and her exceedingly thin face was very
pale. When her daughter entered the room she opened a pair of faded
eyes and looked at her, but no sense of pleasure crossed Mrs.
Howland's shallow face. On the contrary, she looked much worried, and
said, in a cross tone, "I wish you would not be so noisy, Maggie.
Didn't Tildy tell you that I had an acute headache?"

"Yes, mother; and I didn't know I was noisy," replied Maggie. "I came
upstairs as softly as possible. That door"--she pointed to the door by
which she had entered--"creaks horribly. That is not my fault."

"Excusing yourself, as usual," said Mrs. Howland.

"Well, mother," said Maggie after a pause, "may I kiss you now that I
have come back against my will?"

"I knew you'd be horribly discontented," said Mrs. Howland; "but of
course you may kiss me."

Maggie bent down and touched her mother's cheek with her young lips.

"I was having a beautiful time," she said, "and you don't seem glad
now that I have come back. What is the matter?"

"I have something to communicate to you," said Mrs. Howland. "I did
not think I could write it; therefore I was obliged to have you with
me. But we won't talk of it for a little. Have you ordered tea?"

"Yes, mother. Tildy is bringing it."

"That's right," said Mrs. Howland. "What a hot day it is!" she
continued.

"This room is stifling," replied Maggie. "Do you mind if I pull down
the Venetian blinds? That will keep some of the sun out."

"The blinds are all broken," said Mrs. Howland. "I have spoken to that
woman Ross till I am tired, but she never will see to my wishes in any
way."

"I can't imagine why we stay here, mother."

"Oh! don't begin your grumbles now," said Mrs. Howland. "I have news
for you when tea is over."

Just then the drawing-room door was opened by means of a kick and a
bump, and Tildy entered, weighed down by an enormous tea-tray. Maggie
ran