It is connected with the
college; but it has given me a blow, and I was tired beforehand. I
came here against my will, and now I don't want to talk to any one."
"That can be easily managed. I will stand here and keep off all
intruders."
"Thank you." Maggie put her hand to her forehead.
The headache, which had scarcely left her for a fortnight, was now so
acute that all her thoughts were confused; she felt as if she were
walking in a dream. It seemed perfectly right and natural that Hammond
should stand by her side and protect her from the crowd; it seemed
natural to her at that moment, natural and even right to appeal to
him.
After a long pause he said:
"I am afraid I also have bad news!"
"How?"
"I went to see my uncle, Mr. Hayes."
"Yes; it was good of you-- I remember."
"I failed in my mission. Mr. Hayes says that Miss Peel, our Prissie's
aunt, would rather die than accept help from any one."
"Oh, how obstinate some people are!" replied Maggie wearily.
"Happiness, help and succor come to their very door and they turn
these good things away."
"That is true," replied Hammond. "I am firmly convinced," he added,
"that the good angel of happiness is within the reach of most of us
once at least in our lives, but for a whim-- often for a mere whim--
we tell him to go.
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