"
"Pardon me; you are still speaking a little loud."
"Oh!" Poor Prissie fell back, her face crimson. "Please say anything
you wish," she presently piped in a voice as low as a little mouse
might have used.
"What I have to say is simply this," said Hammond: "You will gain
nothing now by rushing off to St. Benet's. However hard you struggle,
you cannot get there in time for dinner. Would it not be best, then,
to remain here quietly until Miss Merton asks you to accompany her
back to the college? Then, of course, it will remain with you to pay
her out in any way you think well."
"Thank you; perhaps that is best. It is quite hopeless now to think of
getting back in time for dinner. I only hope Miss Merton won't keep me
waiting very long, for it is very, very dull sitting here and seeing
people staring at you."
"I would not look at them if I were you, Miss Peel; and, if you will
permit me, I shall be only too pleased to keep you company."
"Oh, thank you," said Prissie. "Then I sha'n't mind staying at all."
The next half-hour seemed to pass on the wings of the wind.
Priscilla was engaged in an animated discussion with Hammond on the
relative attractions of the "Iliad" and the "Odyssey;" her opinion
differed from his, and she was well able to hold her ground.
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