I always did hate meddling . My mother always used to say that ninety-nine times out of a hundred the last state of a meddler and them she meddled with was worse than the first . But I guess it 's my duty . I was Margaret 's friend , and it is my duty to protect her child any way I can . If the Master does go back across there to meet her I must tell him what I think about it . '' Overhead in his room , Eric was walking about whistling . Presently he came downstairs , thinking of the orchard , and the girl who would be waiting for him there . As he crossed the little front entry he heard Mrs. Williamson 's voice calling to him . `` Mr. Marshall , will you please come here a moment ? '' He went out to the kitchen . Mrs. Williamson looked at him deprecatingly . There was a flush on her faded cheek and her voice trembled . `` Mr. Marshall , I want to ask you a question . Perhaps you will think it is n't any of my business . But it is n't because I want to meddle . No , no . It is only because I think I ought to speak . I have thought it over for a long time , and it seems to me that I ought to speak . I hope you wo n't be angry , but even if you are I must say what I have to say . Are you going back to the old Connors orchard to meet Kilmeny Gordon ? ''
For a moment an angry flush burned XXXXX Eric 's face .
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