On the previous Sunday, the anniversary, nearly every scholar had been present, and yet there were some empty seats, and room to place more. The clergyman had called the children's attention to this, and said, "Now, if every two girls or boys would join to try and bring one more scholar, we should have our rooms full, even if all did not succeed. And you, dear children, having tried, would have the happiness of thinking that you had done what you could."
Hence the renewed efforts of Maggie's two friends.
Hence, too, a modest, half-frightened tap at Adam Livesey's door on the following morning, which Maggie junior shrank from answering, whilst the roses fled from her cheeks, for fear of consequences.
Mrs. Livesey opened the door and saw Jessie and Alice, "morals of neatness," as she described them, and in such pretty frocks that her own motherly heart was touched with admiration of the effect produced, and regret that she could not "turn out" her children after the same fashion.
"Please will you let Maggie go to school with us?"
That was all the spokeswoman could say to Mrs. Livesey, but she gave a knowing little nod to her friend, and added, "You see, we've come to call for you, though we never told you we should."
This was a fortunate remark, for Mrs. Livesey was at first inclined to think that Maggie expected this visit, and had kept it a secret.
"It's very kind of you, and I wish my little girl could go, but she can't."
"Why not, Mrs. Livesey? Do, please, let her," pleaded both children, whilst Maggie's face was turned to her mother in mute appeal.
"Why, just look at her frock and hat. Do you think if your mother knew they were her best, she would like such smart little girls to go out with her on Sunday?"