ter a pale, subdued-looking girl came out of the
bedroom and sat down by her mother.

"Well," said Mrs. Howland, "he is very pleasant and cheerful, isn't
he?"

"Mother, he is horrible!"

"Maggie, you have no right to say those things to me. I want a good
husband to take care of me. I am very lonely, and no one appreciates
me."

"Oh mother!" said poor Maggie--"my father!"

"He was a very good man," said Mrs. Howland restlessly; "but he was
above me, somehow, and I never, never could reach up to his heights."

"And you really tell me, his child, that you prefer that person?"

"I think I shall be quite happy with him," said Mrs. Howland. "I
really do. He is awfully kind, and his funny little ways amuse me."

"Oh mother!"

"You will be good about it, Maggie; won't you?" said Mrs. Howland.
"You won't destroy your poor mother's happiness? I have had such
lonely years, and such a struggle to keep my head above water; and now
that good man comes along and offers me a home and every comfort. I am
not young, dear; I am five-and-forty; and there is nothing before me
if I refuse Mr. Martin but an old age of great poverty and terrible
loneliness. You won't stand in my way, Maggie?"

"I can't, mother; though it gives me agony to think of your marrying
him."

"But you'll get quite accustomed to it after a little; and he is
really very funny, I can assure you; he puts me into fits of laughter.
You will get accustomed to him, darling; you will come and live with
your new father and me at Laburnum Villa?"

"Mother, you must know that I never will."

"But what are you to do, Maggie? You've got no money at all."

"Oh mother!" said poor Maggie, "it costs very little to keep me at
Aylmer House; you know that quite, quite well. Please do let me go on
with my education. Afterwards I can earn my living as a teacher or in
some profession, for I have plenty of talent. I take after father in
that."

"Oh yes, I know I always was a fool," said Mrs. Howland; "but I have a
way with people for all that."

"Mother, you have a great deal that is quite sweet about you, and
you're throwing yourself away on that awful man! Can't we go on as we
did for a year or two, you living here, and I coming to you in the
holidays? Then, as soon as ever I get a good post I shall be able to
help you splendidly. Can't you do it, mother? This whole thing seems
so dreadful to me."

"No, I can't, and won't," said Mrs. Howland in a decided voice. "I am