She says such assistance would kill
her in a week. If I can earn money to help her before she dies, she
will accept it from me with thankfulness, but from no one else."
"Then you will give up your Latin and Greek?"
"For the present, I must."
"And you are quite happy?"
"If Maggie and Mr. Hammond will only marry one another, I shall be one
of the happiest girls in the world."
There came a knock at the door. Priscilla opened it.
"Prissie, darling!" said Maggie Oliphant's voice. She flung her arms
round the young girl's neck and kissed her several times.
"It's all right, Priscilla," said Hammond.
Miss Heath made a step or two forward.
"Come and tell Miss Heath," said Prissie. "Miss Heath, here is Maggie!
Here is dear Maggie and here is Mr. Hammond, and it is all right."
Tears of gladness filled Priscilla's eyes. She went up to Hammond,
took one of his hands in both her own and said in a voice of rapture,
"I did help you to-night, didn't I? You know I said I would do
anything in the world for you."
"You have done everything for me, Priscilla," replied Hammond. "I
shall bless you while I live."
Maggie Oliphant's arms were round Miss Heath's neck; her head rested
against her breast. "We have come straight to you," she said; "you
told me that if such an occasion came, you would act as a mother to
me.
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