But there was no sign on the part of Maggie Howland of fulfilling these expectations on the part of the new pa. On the contrary, she stood upright, and then said in a low voice, "This has been a very great shock to me."
"Shock!" cried Martin. "What do you mean by that, miss?"
"I must speak," said Maggie. "You must let me, sir; and, mother, you must let me. It is for the last time. Quite the last time. I will never be here to offend you any more."
"'Pon my word!" said Martin, springing to his feet, and his red, good-humored face growing crimson. "There's gratitude for you! There's manners for you!--Ma, how ever did you bring her up?"
"Let me speak," said Maggie. "I am sorry to hurt your feelings, sir. You are engaged to my mother."
"Ra-_ther_!" said Mr. Martin. "My pretty birdling hopped, so to speak, into my arms. No difficulties with her; no drawing back on the part of Little-sing. She wanted her Bo-peep, and she--well, her Bo-peep wanted 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?"
"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."