"You are brave," she said. "I admire you. I-- I-- am proud of you. I
am glad to know that a girl like you has come to live here."

"Don't-- don't," said poor Prissie. Her little burst of courage had
deserted her. She covered her face with her trembling hands. She did
not want Nancy Banister to see that her eyes were full of tears.

CHAPTER VII

IN MISS OLIPHANT'S ROOM

"MY dear," said Nancy Banister that same evening-- "my dear and
beloved Maggie, we have both been guilty of a huge mistake."

"What is that?" asked Miss Oliphant. She was leaning back in a deep
easy-chair, and Nancy, who did not care for luxurious seats, had
perched herself on a little stool at her feet. Nancy was a small,
nervous-looking person; she had a zealous face and eager, almost too
active movements. Nancy was the soul of bustling good nature, of
brightness and kindness. She often said that Maggie Oliphant's
laziness rested her.

"What is it?" said Maggie again. "How are we in the wrong, Nance?"

She lifted her dimpled hand as she spoke and contemplated it with a
slow, satisfied sort of smile.

"We have made a mistake about Miss Peel, that is all; she is a very
noble girl."