I've put all
my parcels straight, just as the captain would like to see 'em. I'm
up at heel with both shoes. If I close my eyes to-night--which I don't
think I shall--I'll go to sleep as straight as my legs will let me. And
I'll never have another holiday as long as I live. I hope I shall be
forgiven," said Mrs. Wragge, mournfully shaking her head. "I humbly hope
I shall be forgiven."
"Forgiven!" repeated Magdalen. "If other women wanted as little
forgiving as you do--Well! well! Suppose you open some of these parcels.
Come! I want to see what you have been buying to-day."
Mrs. Wragge hesitated, sighed penitently, considered a little,
stretched out her hand timidly toward one of the parcels, thought of
the supernatural warning, and shrank back from her own purchases with a
desperate exertion of self-control.
"Open this one." said Magdalen, to encourage her: "what is it?"
Mrs. Wragge's faded blue eyes began to brighten dimly, in spite of her
remorse; but she self-denyingly shook her head. The master-passion of
shopping might claim his own again--but the ghost was not laid yet.
"Did you get it at a bargain?" asked Magdalen, confidentially.
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