Chicken and some pudding.There's a little Australian wine that my sister keeps in the house for accidents.I liked it myself when Ihad it once for severe neuralgia."
She suddenly, with a half-nervous, half-desperate gesture, put out her hand and took Maggie's.Her hand was soft like blanc-mange; it had apparently no bones in it.
Maggie was touched and grateful.She liked this little shy, frightened woman.She would do anything to please her.
"Don't think," she said eagerly, "that I've ever fainted like that before.I assure you that I've never done anything so silly.You mustn't think that I'm not strong.I'm strong as a horse--father always said so.I've come to help you and Aunt Anne in any way Ican.You mustn't think that I'm going to be in the way.I only want to be useful."Aunt Elizabeth started and looked at the door."I thought I heard something," she said.They both listened.
"Perhaps it was the parrot," said Maggie.
Aunt Elizabeth smiled bravely.
"There are often noises in an old house like this," she said.The black cat came towards them, slowly, with immense dignified indifference.He swung his tail as though to show them that he cared for no one.He walked to the door and waited; then followed them out of the room.