I
am very sorry, but I did see them."
"My dear Prissie!" said Maggie. She went up suddenly to the girl, put
her arm round her neck and kissed her.
"Come home now," she said, drawing Prissie's hand through her arm. "I
don't think I greatly mind your knowing," she said after a pause. "You
are true; I see it in your face. You would never tell again-- you
would never make mischief."
"Tell again! Of course not." Prissie's words came out with great
vigor.
"I know you would not, Priscilla; may I call you Priscilla?"
"Yes."
"Will you be my friend and shall I be your friend?"
"If you would," said Prissie. "But you don't mean it. It is impossible
that you can mean it. I'm not a bit like you-- and-- and-- you only
say these things to be kind."
"What do you mean, Priscilla?"
"I must tell you," said Prissie, turning very pale. "I heard what you
said to Miss Banister the night I came to the college."
"What I said to Miss Banister? What did I say?"
"Oh, can't you remember? The words seemed burnt into me: I shall never
forget them. I had left my purse in the dining-hall, and I was going
to fetch it. Your door was a little open. I heard my name, and I
stopped-- yes, I did stop to listen."
"Oh, what a naughty, mean little Prissie! You stopped to listen.
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