Nancy Banister came up and spoke to Maggie. Maggie took her
arm and walked away with her.
Prissie found herself standing alone in the hall. It was as if the
delightful friendship cemented between herself and Miss Oliphant in
the frosty air outside had fallen to pieces like a castle of cards the
moment they entered the house. Prissie felt a chill. Her high spirits
went down a very little. Then, resolving to banish the ignoble spirit
of distrust, she prepared to run upstairs to her own room.
Miss Heath called her name as she was passing an open door.
"Is that you, my dear? Will you come to my room after supper
to-night?"
"Oh, thank you," said Prissie, her eyes sparkling.
Miss Heath came to the threshold of her pretty room and smiled at the
young girl.
"You look well and happy," she said. "You are getting at home here.
You will love us all yet."
"I love you now!" said Prissie with fervor.
Miss Heath, prompted by the look of intense and sincere gladness on
the young face, bent and kissed Priscilla. A rather disagreeable voice
said suddenly at her back:
"I beg your pardon," and Lucy Marsh ran down the stairs.
She had knocked against Prissie in passing; she had witnessed Miss
Heath's kiss. The expression on Lucy's face was unpleasant.
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