“Quick—come—let us go,” begged Margaret, “before the mother sees—the money!” And Brandon, smiling indulgently at the generosity that was so fearful of receiving thanks, lost no time in putting a long stretch of roadway between themselves and the tall, gaunt woman behind them.
CHAPTER XVII
“Stars—t’ank lucky stars,” Maggie was still shouting gleefully when she reached her mother’s side.
Mrs. Durgin bent keen eyes on her young daughter’s face.
“Maggie, what was they sayin’ to ye?” she began, pulling the little girl into the house. Suddenly her jaw dropped. She stooped and clutched the child’s hands. “Why, Maggie, it’s money—stacks of it!” she exclaimed, prying open the small fingers.
“Stars—lucky stars!” cooed Maggie. Maggie liked new words and phrases, and she always said them over and over until they were new no longer.
Mrs. Durgin shook her daughter gently, yet determinedly. Her small black eyes looked almost large, so wide were they with amazement.
“Maggie, Maggie, tell me—what did they say to ye?” she demanded again. “Why did they give ye all this money?”
Maggie was silent. Her brow was drawn into a thoughtful frown.
“But, Maggie, think—there must ‘a’ been somethin’. What did ye do?”