Maggie rose with alacrity. She followed her companion 32 quite cheerfully. She felt assured within herself that the thin end of the wedge had been well inserted by now.
Mr. Cardew was exceedingly courteous and pleasant, and Maggie charmed him by her intelligence and her marvellous gift of assimilating knowledge. Not a word was said with regard to the London school, and at ten minutes to one Maggie bade good-bye to Mr. Cardew and Merry, and went back to the rectory in considerable spirits.
Molly and Isabel were all impatience for her return.
“Well, what did you do?” said Molly. “Who was there to meet you?”
“Only Merry. Cicely had gone with Mrs. Cardew to Warwick.”
“Oh, well, Merry is the jollier of the two, although they are both perfectly sweet,” said Molly. “And did she show you all the house, Maggie?”
“No,” said Maggie; “I really couldn’t take it all in; but she took me round the armory and into the old tower, and then we went into the picture-gallery.”
“Oh, she took you into the picture-gallery! There are Romneys and Gainsboroughs and Sir Joshua Reynoldses, and all sorts of magnificent treasures there.”
“Doubtless,” said Maggie. “But when I tell you what we did you will laugh.”
“What did you do? Do tell us, Mags.”