“I was born that way,” said Maggie. “I’m a very high-spirited girl, and I have got ideas with regard to my future. You said just now that perhaps some day you might make me accountant in your shop. That was kind of you, and I might be a good accountant; but, of course, all that is for the future. I shouldn’t mind that—I mean, not particularly. But if you were to follow out your plan, and take me to live with you and mother at Laburnum Villa, you would never have a happy moment; for, you see, I am much stronger in character than mother, and I couldn’t help making your life miserable; whereas you and mother would be awfully happy without me. Mother says that she loves you, and wishes to be your wife”—
“Now, what are you driving at, Popsy? For if you have nothing hanging on your hands I have a vast lot hanging on mine, and time is precious.”
“I will tell you quite frankly what I want you to do, Mr. Martin. You are taking mother.”
“I am willing to take you too. I can’t do any more.”
“But then, you see, I don’t want to be taken. Until you 92 came forward and proposed to mother to be your wife she spent a little of her money on my education. She tells me that she has put it now into your business.”
“Poor thing!” said Martin. “She was making ducks and drakes of it; but it is safe enough now.”
“Yes,” said Maggie in a determined voice; “but I think, somehow, that a part of it does lawfully belong to me.”
“Oh, come! tut, tut!”
“I think so,” said Maggie in a resolute tone; “for, you see, it was father’s money; and though he left it absolutely to mother, it was to go to me at her death, and it was meant, little as it was, to help to educate me. I could ask a lawyer all about the rights, of course.”
For some extraordinary reason Martin looked rather frightened.