She did not look up at the young man beside her, and it was well she
did not, for the dark expression of his face would have frightened
her. Half guessing the truth, and impatient to hear more, he said to
her: "Go on," so sternly, that she started, and replied: "I know you are angry with me and I ought not to have told you."
"I am not angry--not at you at least--go on," was Guy's reply, and
Maddy continued: "She told me that now they had come home it would be different, that
only when invited must I come to the parlor, or anywhere, but must
stay in the servants' part, and eat with Mrs. Noah and Sarah. I'd just
as soon do that. I am no better than they, only, only--the way she
told me made me feel so mean, as if I was not anybody, when I am," and
here Maddy's pride began to rise. "I'm just as good as she, if grandpa
is poor, and I won't stay here to be treated like a nigger by her and
Mr. Guy. I liked him so much too, because he was kind to grandpa and
to me when I was sick. Yes, I did like him so much."
"And how is it now?" Guy asked, wondering who in the world she thought
he was. "How is it now?"
"I s'pose it's wicked to feel such things on Sunday, but, somehow,
what she said keeps making me so bad that I know I hate her, and I
guess I hate Mr. Guy!"
This was Maddy's answer, spoken deliberately, while she looked up at
the young man, who, with a comical expression about his mouth,
answered back: "I am Mr. Guy." "You, you! Oh, I can't bear it! I will die!" and Maddy
sprang up as quickly as if feeling an electric shock.
But Guy's arm was interposed to stop her, and Guy's arm held her back,
while he asked where she was going.
"Anywhere, out of sight where you can never see me again," Maddy
sobbed vehemently. "It is bad enough to have you think me a fool, as
you must; but now, oh what do you think of me?"
"Nothing bad, I assure you," Guy said, still holding her wrist to keep
her there. "I supposed you knew who I was, but as you did not, I
forgive you for hating me so cordially. If you thought I sanctioned
what Mrs. Remington has said to you, you had cause to dislike me, but
Miss Clyde, I do not, and this is the first intimation I have had that
you were to be treated other than as a lady. I am master of Aikenside,
not Mrs. Agnes, who shall be made to understand it."