"
A little later, Mrs. Macon moving restlessly about her pleasant room,
heard a timid knock at the door, most unlike Molly's usual frank and
earnest rapping; and at her invitation to enter, there appeared a much
disguised edition of that damsel; for in place of the merry, fearless
creature we all know, here stood a timid, blushing girl, apparently
afraid to take another step forward.
Mrs. Macon felt inclined to a burst of laughter, which verged closely
upon tears, as Molly sidled in, and began in a voice as soft as Sara's
own,--
"Dear Mrs. Macon, I've come to be your child, if you want me, and it's
easy to say I shall love you well, but"--suddenly breaking out into her
usual frankness--"I'll tell you what it is, you're getting much the
worst of the bargain!"
"We can only leave that for time to tell, Molly," drawing the girl to
her with a tender kiss; "and now, Mary Olmstead Macon, I formally claim
you as my own dear daughter; will it be hard for you to call me mother?"
"Not hard, but strange, dear Mrs.--mother--" blushing vividly; then,
throwing her arms about the lady's neck with all the abandon she would
have shown to Sara, she said heartily, "No, it isn't hard, dear, sweet
mother, for I'm going to love you with all my heart!" and Mrs.
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