But Martha hadn't pitied Maggie then. Oh, no. Might as well die as not.
Who wanted her? No one. Not even her young man apparently.

Better if she died. But slowly something happened to Martha. Not that
she was sentimental. Not in the least. But thoughts would steal
in--steal in just when you were at your work. The girl lying there so
good and patient--all the pots and pans winking at you from the
kitchen-wall. Must remember to order that ketchup--cold last night in
bed--think another blanket ... yes, very good and patient. Can't deny
it. Always smiles just that same way. Smiles at every one except Miss
Arne. Won't smile at her. Wonder why not? Something between those two.
What about dinner? A little onion fry--that's the thing these damp
days--Onion fry--Onion Fry. ONION FRY ... One last look back before the
world is filled with the sense, smell, and taste of it.--Poor girl, so
white and so patient--the young man will never come back--never ...
never ... ONION FRY.

No; no one knew what Maggie was thinking. No one found out until Maggie
had her second visitor, Miss Avies.

When Martha opened the door to Miss Avies she was astonished. Miss
Avies hadn't been near the house since old Warlock died. What was she
wanting here now, with her stiff back and bossy manner.

"I don't know whether you can see--"

"Oh nonsense, it's Maggie Cardinal I want to see. She's now in the
drawing-room sitting on a chair with a shawl on by the fire. Don't tell
me!"

Martha quivered with anger. "The doctor's orders is--"

"I'm going to be doctor to-day," she said, and strode inside. She went
upstairs and found Aunt Elizabeth sitting with Maggie.

"How do you do, Miss Cardinal?" They shook hands, Miss Avies standing
over Aunt Elizabeth like the boa constrictor raised above the mouse.

"That's all right ... No, I don't want to see your sister. And to be
quite honest, I don't want to see you either. It's your niece I want to
see. And alone--"

"Certainly--it's only the doctor said--"

"Not to excite her. I know. But I'm not going to excite her. I'm going
to give her some medicine. You come back in half an hour from now. Will
you? That's right. Thank you so much."

Aunt Elizabeth, unhappy, uncomfortable, filled with misgivings, as in
these days she always was, left the room.

"Well, there ... that's right," said Miss Avies, settling herself in
the opposite side of the fire from Maggie and looking at her with not
unfriendly eyes. "