It was all new to Prissie, this "light, airy, nothing" kind of
talk. It was not study; could it be classed under the head of
recreation?
Prissie was accustomed to classify everything, but she did not know
under what head to put this pleasant conversation. She was bewildered,
puzzled. She listened without losing a word. She forgot herself
absolutely.
Miss Heath, however, who knew Maggie Oliphant, but did not know
Prissie, was observant of the silent young stranger through all the
delights of her pleasant talk. Almost imperceptibly she got Prissie to
say a word or two. She paused when she saw a question in Prissie's
eyes, and her timid and gentle words were listened to with deference.
By slow degrees Maggie was the silent one and Priscilla and Miss Heath
held the field between them.
"No, I have never been properly educated," Prissie was saying. "I have
never gone to a high school. I don't do things in the regular fashion.
I was so afraid I should not be able to pass the entrance examination
for St. Benet's. I was delighted when I found that I had done so."
"You passed the examination creditably," said Miss Heath. "I have
looked through your papers. Your answers were not stereotyped. They
were much better; they were thoughtful.
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