There was the lifting sense that at last she had
graduated; that at last she was set free from the drab and petty
things of life; that at last she was riding forth into the great
brilliant world in which everything happened--forth into the
fascinating, bewildering Unknown.
Barney and Old Jimmie talked to each other as the taxicab bumped
through the cobbled streets, their talk being for the most part
maledictions against Larry Brainard. But their words were meaningless
sounds to the silent Maggie, all of whose throbbing faculties were
just then merged into an excited endeavor to perceive the glorious
outlines of the destiny toward which she rode. However, as the cab
turned into Lafayette Place and rolled northward, her curiosity about
the unknown became conscious and articulate.
"Where am I going?" she asked.
"First of all to a nice, quiet hotel." It was Barney who answered;
somehow Barney had naturally moved into the position of leader, and as
naturally her father had receded to second place. "We've got
everything fixed, Maggie. Rooms reserved, and a companion waiting
there for you."
"A companion!" exclaimed Maggie. "What for?"
"To teach you the fine points of manners, and to help you buy clothes.
She's a classy bird all right. I advertised and picked her out of a
dozen who applied.
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