Page:What Maisie Knew (Chicago & New York, Herbert S. Stone & Co., 1897).djvu/81

Rh then she said unexpectedly: "Put it on the schoolroom mantelpiece."

Maisie had apprehensions. "Won't papa dislike to see it there?"

"Very much indeed; but that won't matter now." Miss Overmore spoke with peculiar significance and to her pupil's mystification.

"On account of the marriage?" Maisie inquired.

Miss Overmore laughed, and Maisie could see that in spite of the irritation produced by Mrs. Wix she was in high spirits. "Which marriage do you mean?"

With the question put to her it suddenly seemed to the child that she did n't know, and she felt that she looked foolish. So she took refuge in saying "Shall you be different—?" This was a full implication that the bride of Sir Claude would be.

"As your father's wedded wife? Utterly!" Miss Overmore replied. And the difference began, of course, in her being addressed, even by Maisie, from that day and by her particular request, as Mrs. Beale. It was there indeed also that it almost ended, for except that the child could reflect that she should presently have four parents in all,