"And the other one?"
"That is young Mr.Warlock--he is the son of our minister.""Does he live near here?"
"He lives just now with his parents.Of late years he has been abroad.""He doesn't look like the son of a minister," said Maggie.
"No, I'm afraid--" Aunt Elizabeth suddenly stopped."His father has been minister of our chapel for twenty years.He is a great and wonderful man.""Where is the chapel?"
"Very near at hand.You will see it to-morrow.To-morrow is Sunday."There was a long pause.Maggie knew that now was the time when she should say something friendly and affectionate.She could say nothing.She stared at her aunt, then at a long mirror that faced her bed, then at the lighted sky.She felt warmly grateful, eager to show all the world that she would do her best, that she was ready to give herself to this new life with all her soul and strength--she could say nothing.
They waited.
At last her aunt said:
"Good-night, dear Maggie."
"Good-night, Aunt Elizabeth."
She stole away, leaving the candle upon the chest of drawers; the cat followed her, swinging his tail.
Left alone, Maggie felt the whole sweep of her excitement.She was exhausted, her body felt as though it had been trampled upon, she was so tired that she could scarcely drag her clothes from her, but the exaltation of her spirit was beyond and above all this.Half undressed she stood before the long mirror.She had never before possessed a long looking-glass, and now she seemed to see herself as she really was for the first time.Was she very ugly and unattractive? Yes, she must be with that stumpy body, those thick legs and arms, that short nose and large mouth.And she did not know what to do to herself to make herself attractive.Other girls knew but she had never had any one who could tell her.Perhaps she would make girl friends now who would show her.