Page:What Maisie Knew (Chicago & New York, Herbert S. Stone & Co., 1897).djvu/71

Rh "Oh, but I've written to mamma!" cried the child, as if this would do quite as well.

"That makes her treatment of you all the greater scandal!" the governess in possession promptly declared.

"Mrs. Farange is too well aware," said Mrs. Wix, with sustained spirit, "of what becomes of her letters in this house."

Maisie's sense of fairness hereupon interposed for her visitor. "You know, Miss Overmore, that papa doesn't like everything of mamma's."

"No one likes, my dear, to be made the subject of such language as your mother's letters contain. They were not fit for the innocent child to see," Miss Overmore observed to Mrs. Wix.

"Then I don't know what you complain of, and she's better without them. It serves every purpose that I'm in Mrs. Farange's confidence."

Miss Overmore gave a scornful laugh. "Then you must be mixed up with some extraordinary proceedings."

"None so extraordinary," cried Mrs. Wix, turning very pale, "as to say horrible things about the mother to the face of the helpless daughter."