“Do call me Merry. ‘Miss Cardew’ sounds so stiff, and you know I feel that I have known you all my life, for Molly and Isabel have always been talking about you. Mother was so pleased when she heard that you wanted to see the old house; and, do you know, Maggie––You don’t mind my saying Maggie?”
“Of course not, Merry—dear Merry.”
“Well—would you believe it?—father is going to show you the manuscript-room himself. I can tell you that is an honor.”
“I am so delighted!” said Maggie. “Your father is a most charming man.”
“Indeed, that he is,” said Merry; “but I never saw him get on so well with a young girl before.”
“Oh,” said Maggie in her modest way, “it was just that I wanted to listen to him; what he said was so very interesting.”
The girls were now walking up the avenue.
“Please,” said Merry suddenly, “tell me more about your school—I mean that new, wonderful school you are at in London.”
“Aylmer House?” said Maggie.
“Yes, Aylmer House. Mother was talking about it this morning. She was quite interested in it.”