d
her."

"Yes, sir," said Maggie. "I am exceedingly sorry--bitterly sorry--that
my mother is going to marry again; but as she cares for you"----

"Which I _do_!" said Mrs. Howland, who was now reduced to tears.

"I have nothing more to say," continued Maggie, "except that I hope
she will be happy. But I, sir, am my father's daughter as well as my
mother's, and I cannot for a single moment accept your offer. It is
impossible. I must go on with my own education as best I can."

"Then you _re-fuse_," said Martin, "to join your mother and me?"

"Yes," said Maggie, "I refuse."

"Has she anything to live on, ma?" asked Mr. Martin.

"Oh, dear James," said Mrs. Howland, "don't take all the poor child
says in earnest now! She'll be down on her knees to you to-morrow. I
know she will. Leave her to me, James dear, and I'll manage her."

"You can manage most things, Little-sing," said Mr. Martin; "but I
don't know that I want that insolent piece. She is very different from
you. If she is to be about our pleasant, cheerful home snubbing me and
putting on airs--why, I'll have none of it. Let her go, Victoria, I
say--let her go if she wants to; but if she comes to me she must come
in a cheerful spirit, and joke with me, and take my fun, and be as
agreeable as you are yourself, Little-sing."

"Well, at least," said Mrs. Howland, "give us till to-morrow. The
child is surprised; she will be different to-morrow."

"I hope so," said Mr. Martin; "but if there's any philandering, or
falling back, or if there's any _on_-gratitude, I'll have naught to do
with her. I only take her to oblige you, Victoria."

"You had best leave us now, dear," said Mrs. Howland. "I will talk to
Maggie, and let you know."

Mr. Martin sat quite still for a minute. Then he rose, took not the
slightest notice of Maggie, but, motioning Mrs. Howland to follow him,
performed a sort of cake-walk out of the room.

When he reached the door and had said good-bye, he opened it again and
said, "Bo-peep!" pushing a little bit of his bald head in, and then
withdrawing it, while Mrs. Howland pretended to admire his antics.

At last he was gone; but by this time Maggie had vanished into the
bedroom. She had flung herself on her knees by the bed, and pushed her
handkerchief against her mouth to stifle the sound of her sobs. Mrs.
Howland gently opened the door, looked at her daughter, and then shut
it again. She felt thoroughly afraid of Maggie.

An hour or two la