Will you show us something else, please?"-and so they had to begin all over again.
Nevertheless, throughout their first summer Maggie was almost happy;not QUITE happy, some silent but persistent rebellion at the very centre of her heart prevented her complete happiness.What she really felt was that half of her-the rebellious, questioning, passionate half of her-was asleep, and that at all costs, whatever occurred, she must keep it asleep.That was her real definite memory of her first year-that, through it all, she was wilfully, deliberately drugged.
Every one thought Paul very strange that summer.Mr.Flaunders, the curate, told Miss Purves that he was very "odd." "He was always the most tranquil man-a sunny nature, as you know, Miss Purves.Well now, I assure you, he's never the same from one minute to another.
His temper is most uncertain, and one never can tell of what he's thinking.You know he took the Collects in the wrong order last Sunday, and last night he read the wrong lesson.Two days ago he was quite angry with me because I suggested another tune for 'Lead Kindly Light'-unlike himself, unlike himself.""To what do you attribute this, Mr.Flaunders?" said Miss Purves.
"You know our vicar so well."
"I'm sure I can't tell what it is," said Mr.Flaunders, sighing.
"Can it be his marriage?" said Miss Purves.
"I'm sure," said Mr.Flaunders, flushing, "that it can be nothing to do with Mrs.Trenchard.That's a fine woman, Miss Purves, a fine woman.""She seems a little strange," said Miss Purves."Why doesn't she let her hair grow? It's hardly Christian as it is.""It's her health, I expect," said Mr.Flaunders.