Chapter X. Maggie Behaves Worse Than She Expected

houttheinjusticeofsomeblameonhisownconduct. “Why,wheredidyouleaveher?”saidthemother,lookinground. “Sittingunderthetree,againstthepond,”saidTom,apparentlyindifferenttoeverythingbutthestringandtheturkey-cock. “Thengoandfetchherinthisminute,younaughtyboy.Andhowcouldyouthinko’goingtothepond,andtakingyoursisterwheretherewasdirt?Youknowshe’lldomischiefifthere’smischieftobedone.” ItwasMrsTulliver’sway,ifsheblamedTom,toreferhismisdemeanour,somehoworother,toMaggie. TheideaofMaggiesittingalonebythepondrousedanhabitualfearinMrsTulliver’smind,andshemountedthehorse-blocktosatisfyherselfbyasightofthatfatalchild,whileTomwalked—notveryquickly—onhiswaytowardher. “They’resuchchildrenforthewater,mineare,”shesaidaloud,withoutreflectingthattherewasnoonetohearher“they’llbebroughtindeadanddrowndedsomeday.Iwishthatriverwasfarenough.” ButwhenshenotonlyfailedtodiscernMaggie,butpresentlysawTomreturningfromthepoolalone,thishoveringfearenteredandtookcompletepossessionofher,andshehurriedtomeethim. “Maggie’snowhereaboutthepond,mother,”saidTom“she’sgoneaway.” YoumayconceivetheterrifiedsearchforMaggie,andthedifficultyofconvincinghermotherthatshewasnotinthepond.MrsPulletobservedthatthechildmightcometoaworseendifshelived,therewasnoknowingandMrPullet,confusedandoverwhelmedbythisrevolutionaryaspectofthings,—theteadeferredandthepoultryalarmedbytheunusualrunningtoandfro,—tookuphisspudasaninstrumentofsearch,andreacheddownakeytounlockthegoose-pen,asalikelyplaceforMaggietolieconcealedin. Tom,afterawhile,startedtheideathatMaggiewasgonehome(withoutthinkingitnecessarytostatethatitwaswhatheshouldhavedonehimselfunderthecircumstances),andthesuggestionwasseizedasacomfortbyhismother. “Sister,forgoodness’sakelet’emputthehorseinthecarriageandtakemehomeweshallperhapsfindherontheroad.Lucycan’twalkinherdirtyclothes,”shesaid,lookingatthatinnocentvictim,whowaswrappedupinashawl,andsittingwithnakedfeetonthesofa. AuntPulletwasquitewillingtotaketheshortestmeansofrestoringherpremisestoorderandquiet,anditwasnotlongbeforeMrsTulliverwasinthechaise,lookinganxiouslyatthemostdistantpointbeforeher.WhatthefatherwouldsayifMaggiewaslost,wasaquestionthatpredominatedovereveryother.