"And is that anything so very bad, I'd like to know. Most girls do not
find love distasteful," and Guy walked hastily to the window, where he
stood for a moment gazing out upon the soft April snow, which was
falling, and feeling anything but satisfied either with the weather or
himself; then walking back, and taking a seat before the fire, he
said: "I understand you now. You would save Maddy Clyde from sorrow,
and you are right. You know more of girls than I do. She might in time
get to--to--think of me as she ought not. I never looked upon it in
this light before. I've been so happy with her;" here Guy's voice
faltered a little, but he recovered himself and went on: "I will tell
her about Lucy tonight, but the sending her away, I can't do that.
Neither will she be happy to go back where I took her from, for though
the best of people, they are not like Maddy, and you know it."
Yes, Mrs. Noah did know it, and pleased that her boy, as she called
Guy, had shown some signs of penitence and amendment, she said she did
not think it necessary to send Maddy home; she did not advise it
either. She liked the girl, and what she advised was this, that Guy
should send Maddy and Jessie both to boarding school. Agnes, she knew,
would be willing, and it was the best thing he could do. Maddy would
thus learn what was expected of a teacher, and as soon as she
graduated, she could procure some eligible situation, or if Lucy were
there, and desired it, she could come and stay forever for all what
sue cared, "And during the vacations, where must she go then?" Guy asked.
"Go where she pleases, of course. As Jessie is so fond of her, and
they are much like sisters, it will not be improper for her to come
here, as I see, provided Agnes is here. Her presence, of course, would
make a difference," Mrs. Noah replied, while Guy continued: "I know you are right; that is, I do not wish to do Maddy a harm by
placing temptation in her way, neither will I have everybody meddling
with my business. I tell you I won't. I don't mean you, for you have a
right to say what no one else has," and he glanced half angrily at
Mrs. Noah. "Pity if I can't take an interest in a girl, because I once
wronged her, without every old woman in Christendom thinking she needs
to fall in love with me, and so be ruined for life. Maddy Clyde has
too good sense for that, or will have when I tell her about Lucy."