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<v Speaker 1>Chapter nine of Wired Love by Ella Chieva Thayer. This

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<v Speaker 1>LibriVox recording is in the public domain unexpected visitors. It

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<v Speaker 1>must be miss Kling overpowered by curiosity, murmured Natty. No,

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<v Speaker 1>answered Sin in a stage whisper. The knock is too timid,

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<v Speaker 1>good gracious though it is. Again, stand in front of

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<v Speaker 1>the gasto of nat lest it be Missus Simmonson, while

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<v Speaker 1>I go and invent some excuse for not letting in

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<v Speaker 1>whoever it is. And having given these hasty directions, Sin

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<v Speaker 1>opened the door the smallest possible crack. As she did so,

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<v Speaker 1>and before she could speak, it was pushed back violently,

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<v Speaker 1>almost knocking her over and in burst. Quimby, this, however,

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<v Speaker 1>might not have much disconcerted them, as he could have

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<v Speaker 1>been disposed of easily enough, had not at his heels

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<v Speaker 1>come a tall, fine looking young man, a perfect stranger

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<v Speaker 1>to both Sin and Natty. You see, I keep my word,

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<v Speaker 1>was the enigmatical remark the smiling Quimby made as he entered. Then,

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<v Speaker 1>catching sight of the festive board, he stopped short and

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<v Speaker 1>stead with an utterly confounded face at that, at the

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<v Speaker 1>embarrassed Natty, at Sinn behind the door, and at the

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<v Speaker 1>saucepan cover, which embellished with potato pairings, occupied a prominent

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<v Speaker 1>position in the middle of the floor. His companion also

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<v Speaker 1>passed a surprised and amused smile, lurking in his merry

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<v Speaker 1>brown eyes as he looked at Natty, seemingly regardless of

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<v Speaker 1>anything else in the room. Sin was the first to

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<v Speaker 1>recover from the general petrifaction with the involuntary thought, what

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<v Speaker 1>an excellent stage situation came from behind the door where

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<v Speaker 1>Quimby's impetuous entrance had thrust her, saying with as much

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<v Speaker 1>ease as she could possibly gather together, don't be frightened

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<v Speaker 1>at all, you see, friend Quimby, We are only extemporizing

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<v Speaker 1>a little feast, that is all. Will you join us?

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<v Speaker 1>But Quimby only stared harder than ever He was evidently

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<v Speaker 1>struck speechless. His companion, thus placed in the awkward position

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<v Speaker 1>of an unintroduced intruder, withdrew his eyes from Natty, took

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<v Speaker 1>in the situation at a glance, and, turning to Sin,

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<v Speaker 1>said smiling, I think we owe you an apology if

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<v Speaker 1>our intrusion. My friend Quimby, on whom I called to

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<v Speaker 1>day in pity for being a stranger in the city

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<v Speaker 1>kindly offered to introduce me to some friends of his.

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<v Speaker 1>He informed me we were expected, but I fear we

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<v Speaker 1>have made a mistake. At this Quimby recovered his voice. No,

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<v Speaker 1>he cried in stentorian tones.

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<v Speaker 2>It was not I cannot have made a mistake. This

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<v Speaker 2>tongue you knew, Sin looking at her reproachfully you knew

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<v Speaker 2>about it. I met you a short time ago and

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<v Speaker 2>asked you, and you said we might come, you know,

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<v Speaker 2>half amazed and half amused, Sin shook her head in denial,

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<v Speaker 2>at which action Quimby started and turned pale. Why ah,

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<v Speaker 2>I beg pardon. But in the hall you said, certainly

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<v Speaker 2>you know.

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<v Speaker 1>Who said Sin alight breaking in upon her. I see.

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<v Speaker 1>But I did not then understand you, I suppose, rallying

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<v Speaker 1>from her embarrassment, My mind was so occupied with our feast,

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<v Speaker 1>I was in capable of thinking of anything else. So

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<v Speaker 1>please consider this an apology for the condition in which

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<v Speaker 1>will find us, to yourself and to your friend, whom

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<v Speaker 1>you will pardon me for reminding you you have not introduced.

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<v Speaker 1>And Syn looked laughingly at the stranger, who also laughed.

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<v Speaker 2>Oh, I beg pardon. I am sure for all my stupidities,

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<v Speaker 2>I am always doing something wrong. But I'm used to it,

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<v Speaker 2>you know.

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<v Speaker 1>Said the disconcerted Quimby, Then, wiping the perspiration from his forehead,

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<v Speaker 1>he added clumbusily, my friend, mister Stanwood Sin, and miss

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<v Speaker 1>miss Rogers. Mister Stanwood gaily shook hands with Sin, whom

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<v Speaker 1>Quimby had nervously forgotten to honor with a miss, and

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<v Speaker 1>then advanced to Natty, who had not stirred from her

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<v Speaker 1>position as screen for the gastow, saying, I am delighted

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<v Speaker 1>to make your quince, Miss Rodgers. And as Natty accepted

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<v Speaker 1>his preferred hand in an embarrassed way, not yet being

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<v Speaker 1>able to rise to the situation, and observed the peculiarly

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<v Speaker 1>rogue wish expression with which she regarded her, she suddenly

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<v Speaker 1>became aware that she had seen him on some previous occasion,

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<v Speaker 1>but where she was utterly at last to remember. Sin

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<v Speaker 1>too was struck by something a little odd in his

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<v Speaker 1>manner to Natty, and glanced at him curiously, as she

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<v Speaker 1>said in her most cordial tones, And now, gentlemen, as

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<v Speaker 1>we have exchanged apologies all round, please be seated. Quimby

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<v Speaker 1>immediately bounced up from the music stool, on which, in

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<v Speaker 1>his agitation he had involuntarily dropped. Ooh no, he exclaimed hastily.

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<v Speaker 1>We we did not come to dinner, you know. Sin

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<v Speaker 1>smiled at Quimby's anxiety to disclaim intentions no one thought

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<v Speaker 1>of attributing to him, and turning to mister Stanwood asked,

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<v Speaker 1>thereby greatly scandalizing Natty, but supposing you invited to stay

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<v Speaker 1>and share our banquet, would you well? I am sure

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<v Speaker 1>the invitation was hard felt. I should be sorely tempted,

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<v Speaker 1>wouldn't you A Quimby? Mister Stanward replied easily. Poor Quimby,

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<v Speaker 1>to while his thumbs confusedly had murmured something about leaving

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<v Speaker 1>the ladies to enjoy their feast alone. We have eatables

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<v Speaker 1>enough for six, as Natty was just now intimating, went

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<v Speaker 1>on Sin, who certainly had a touch of true bohemianism

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<v Speaker 1>in her composition, as well as Joe Norton. But our

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<v Speaker 1>dishes ay, they are the rub, and she laughingly held

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<v Speaker 1>up the coffee in while the less adaptable Natty thought

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<v Speaker 1>apprehensively of the propensity of things to cool. Undaunted by

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<v Speaker 1>the urn, mister Stanward said with humorous wistfulness. But looking

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<v Speaker 1>at Natty, you won't force us to eat the dishes,

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<v Speaker 1>will you? And that steak smells so nice. I haven't

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<v Speaker 1>had any dinner. Then away with ceremony and sit down

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<v Speaker 1>with the banquet, said the reckless Sin, regardless of the

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<v Speaker 1>protest in Natty's face, and truth to tell, the former

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<v Speaker 1>young lady was not at all averse to this addition

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<v Speaker 1>to their number. And to the consternation of Quimby and

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<v Speaker 1>dismay of Natty, and possibly a little to the surprise

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<v Speaker 1>of Sin, mister Stanward replied by seating himself down in

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<v Speaker 1>a rocking chair and saying, gaily, I feel positive that

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<v Speaker 1>I'm about to enjoy myself as I have not since

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<v Speaker 1>I was a boy, and store eggs and cooked them

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<v Speaker 1>on a flat rock behind my uncle's barn, and had

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<v Speaker 1>wore turnip for dessert. Sit down, Quimby. Upon this, Quimby,

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<v Speaker 1>with a flashing protest against an intrusion that did not

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<v Speaker 1>seemed to trouble his merry friend in the least, also

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<v Speaker 1>sat down. As he did so, Natty screamed, but too

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<v Speaker 1>late on the crowning glory of the feast on those

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<v Speaker 1>enticing Sharlotte ruses crowded from the table on to a

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<v Speaker 1>chair there was Quimby. Bless my soul, What is the matter,

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<v Speaker 1>he asked, staring astounded at Natty's scream, but still sitting there,

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<v Speaker 1>entirely of the ruin he had wrought. Sin's anguish knew

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<v Speaker 1>no bounds as she saw what had happened. Get up,

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<v Speaker 1>she cried, wringing her hands. Can't you get up? Good gracious,

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<v Speaker 1>don't you know what you're sitting on? Eh? He queried,

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<v Speaker 1>rising immediately and looking at her with a blank expression,

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<v Speaker 1>sitting on. Then, following her frantic gesture, he turned and

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<v Speaker 1>looked at the chair behind him, and instantly horror overspread

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<v Speaker 1>his countenance. Bless my soul, he gasped, turning round and round,

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<v Speaker 1>trying to get a glimpse of his own coat tails.

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<v Speaker 1>How did it come now?

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<v Speaker 2>What is it? It is?

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<v Speaker 1>Was Charlotte Rouse, said Natty in gloomy despair. Charlotte Rouse

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<v Speaker 1>echoed Quimby, still turning himself around like a revolving light.

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<v Speaker 2>It don't look much like it, you knew.

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<v Speaker 1>At this mister Stamford, who had with difficulty suppressed his

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<v Speaker 1>laughter until now, burst into an uncontrollable roar, in which

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<v Speaker 1>he was joined by Sin and then by Natty. They

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<v Speaker 1>laughed until utterly exhausted. Quimby, all the time keeping up

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<v Speaker 1>his rotary motion with a face whose lugubriousness cannot be described.

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<v Speaker 2>I can bless my soul. I will replace what I

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<v Speaker 2>have destroyed. Ah, I assure you I will.

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<v Speaker 1>The unfortunate Quimby groaned as soon as he could be heard.

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<v Speaker 2>I what can I say to express my sorrow?

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<v Speaker 1>And, suddenly ceasing to revolve, he snatched mister Standward's hat

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<v Speaker 1>and started for the door.

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<v Speaker 2>Where are you going?

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<v Speaker 1>His friend questioned, as bravely as.

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<v Speaker 2>He could more Charlotte Russes.

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<v Speaker 1>He responded, incoherently and with an agonized face. If I

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<v Speaker 1>may be permitted to make a suggestion, said mister Stanward,

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<v Speaker 1>with labored gravity, I should say some little change in

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<v Speaker 1>your toilet would be quite appropriate before going on the street,

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<v Speaker 1>And moreover, that my hat will not fit your head.

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<v Speaker 1>At this Quimby dropped the hat he held as if

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<v Speaker 1>it had been red hot, glanced at the chair whereon

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<v Speaker 1>he had so lately distinguished himself, took up the tails

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<v Speaker 1>of his coat, one in each hand, revolved again, and

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<v Speaker 1>then without a word, darted from the room as well

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<v Speaker 1>as she could from laughing. Sin called after him, telling

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<v Speaker 1>him to not mind about getting the Charlotte rouses and

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<v Speaker 1>to hurry back, but he made no response. Poor Quimby,

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<v Speaker 1>said mister Stanward, wiping the tears of excessive mirth from

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<v Speaker 1>his eyes. Here is such a good fellow. It is

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<v Speaker 1>too bad he always is in hot water. He is,

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<v Speaker 1>assented Symn, removing the chair with the remains of what

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<v Speaker 1>had been clinging to it from sight, Natty following it

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<v Speaker 1>with somewhat rueful glance. Shall we wait for him? I

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<v Speaker 1>fear our dinner is getting cold. I don't think we

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<v Speaker 1>had better. Natty, who had long been filled with a

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<v Speaker 1>similar presentiment, responded, there is no knowing whether he will

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<v Speaker 1>return or not, and it's no use in having everything spoiled.

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<v Speaker 1>I do not think he will expect us to wait.

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<v Speaker 1>Mister Stanward said, well, then said syn here is a

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<v Speaker 1>chair for you. Mister Stanward, it's all right, so you

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<v Speaker 1>need not look before sitting. Luckily you are taller than

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<v Speaker 1>we and need no books to raise you. Now the

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<v Speaker 1>question is what shall we give you to eat? For Ah,

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<v Speaker 1>here is the bread plate. Nat can't you find another

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<v Speaker 1>wooden cover. No, then spread a piece of brown paper

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<v Speaker 1>with a scribner's. How fortunate we have an extra knife

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<v Speaker 1>and fork, and don't mind there being oyster forks, I thought, not, Nat,

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<v Speaker 1>and I will use the same spoon, so you can

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<v Speaker 1>have a hall one. Nat, you and I will have

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<v Speaker 1>to drink from that cracked tumbler, allow me, interrupted mister Stanward.

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<v Speaker 1>Do you know solemnly a cracked tumbler is and always

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<v Speaker 1>was the height of my ambition. Well then we are

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<v Speaker 1>all right, said the jovial sin. But I fear, she added,

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<v Speaker 1>helping to stake. If Quimby comes before we finish, he

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<v Speaker 1>will have to go foraging for his own dishes. Mister

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<v Speaker 1>Stannard was praising the stake, which he certainly ate, as

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<v Speaker 1>if the admiration was genuine, when a timid rap announced

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<v Speaker 1>Quimby's reappearance on the scene. In complete change of raiment,

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<v Speaker 1>smelling like a field of new mown hay, and figuratively

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<v Speaker 1>clothed in sackcloth and ashes, he entered. I big holden,

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<v Speaker 1>he said, looking not at those he addressed, but humbly

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<v Speaker 1>at the Duchess, who had been walking floor impatiently and indignantly,

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<v Speaker 1>but was now contentedly chewing. Ah, I'll assure you I

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<v Speaker 1>shall be delighted to go out and get Charlotte Rose's

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<v Speaker 1>to replace those I so wanton me destroyed. Will you

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<v Speaker 1>may I be allowed? Not on any account, said Sinn quickly. Besides,

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<v Speaker 1>the stores are closed to day, so they are so

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<v Speaker 1>they are, he exclaimed, putting his hand to his head dejectedly.

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<v Speaker 1>But we can eat without Charlotte Rouses, I think, Natty said,

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<v Speaker 1>She had quite recovered her good humor and was reconciled

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<v Speaker 1>even to mister Stanwood's company. Indeed had secretly confessed he

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<v Speaker 1>was really an acquisition. Such is the power of good beefsteak.

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<v Speaker 1>Some other time we will talk about it, Sin said.

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<v Speaker 1>And now we must improvise you a cup plate, knife, fork,

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<v Speaker 1>and spoon. I know you must be hungry after your exploit.

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<v Speaker 1>Twimby blushed.

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<v Speaker 2>You shall have fifty Charlotte ruses.

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<v Speaker 1>Tomorrow, he ejaculated.

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<v Speaker 2>But the articles you mentioned I have in my room

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<v Speaker 2>and will bring them. You see, sometimes have a little

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<v Speaker 2>private lunch myself, you know.

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<v Speaker 1>And departing, he in a moment returned with his dinner

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<v Speaker 1>accuiterments which Sinn commanded him to put down at once

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<v Speaker 1>lest he demolished them. Let me see, she added, as

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<v Speaker 1>he meekly deposited his burden on the nearest piece of furniture,

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<v Speaker 1>which happened to be the piano. I can make room

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<v Speaker 1>for you here next me. I think.

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<v Speaker 2>No, no, he exclaimed quickly, If you'll be so kind,

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<v Speaker 2>I would rather sit in that little stool in the corner. Well,

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<v Speaker 2>I can do no damage, you know.

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<v Speaker 1>Oh, I must not make a martyr of you, laughed

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<v Speaker 1>Natty as she cut a pie with a very dull knife,

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<v Speaker 1>which caused the very unsteady table to shake so that

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<v Speaker 1>everyone's coffee slopped over. No, indeed, there is plenty of

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<v Speaker 1>room here, added mister Stanward, steadying his cracked tumbler. Quimby

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<v Speaker 1>shook his head.

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<v Speaker 2>Now, really, I should feel much more comfortably if I may,

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<v Speaker 2>If you will allow me to sit on the stool.

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<v Speaker 2>I'm used to it, you know, upon my word, I

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<v Speaker 2>mean all right, But but someway, I always make a

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<v Speaker 2>mess of it.

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<v Speaker 1>Sin would have remonstrated further, but mister Stanwood said we

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<v Speaker 1>had better let him be happy in his own way.

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<v Speaker 1>I suppose he will not be easy unless we do,

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<v Speaker 1>and so Quimby, much to his satisfaction, was allowed to

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<v Speaker 1>eat his share of the feast on a low stool

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<v Speaker 1>in the corner like a naughty schoolboy. Visitors were destined

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<v Speaker 1>to be numerous to day, for hardly had Quimby been

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<v Speaker 1>served when a knock at the door was followed by

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<v Speaker 1>the appearance of Joe, who tiptoed into the room and,

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<v Speaker 1>in a mysterious whisper, said, I saw Quimby enter this

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<v Speaker 1>room bearing utensils that could only be used for one purpose.

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<v Speaker 1>I'll smelt the save we odor. And here I am,

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<v Speaker 1>and welcome too, said Syn laughing.

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<v Speaker 2>Come sit here by me.

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<v Speaker 1>Are you and mister Stanwood acquainted?

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<v Speaker 2>Oh?

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<v Speaker 1>Yes, replied Joe, perching himself on the arm of a

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<v Speaker 1>rocking chair close to Sin and appropriating a wooden cover

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<v Speaker 1>for a plate.

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<v Speaker 2>As he spoke.

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<v Speaker 1>He and Quimby did me the honor to call on

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<v Speaker 1>me to day, but left mettlemore track whether the dinner

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<v Speaker 1>or you, ladies, or will not pretend to say it

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<v Speaker 1>was we ladies, you dreadful matter of fact creature, said Natty.

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<v Speaker 1>Their presence at the dinner was quite accidental. Sin and

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<v Speaker 1>I started out for a little quiet feast, and behold

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<v Speaker 1>the result bohemian enough for even you, isn't it?

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<v Speaker 2>Joe?

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<v Speaker 1>Exactly what I like, replied Joe, and very close indeed

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<v Speaker 1>to Sin, and Joe managed to get But then the

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<v Speaker 1>table was very small. But the idea of you two

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<v Speaker 1>girls proposing to selfishly enjoy such a feast all alone,

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<v Speaker 1>I begin to think we did make a mistake in

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<v Speaker 1>not making preparations for and inviting a larger party, acquiesced Sin. Now,

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<v Speaker 1>I wonder if miss Rodgers has overcome her anger towards

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<v Speaker 1>offending me, questioned mister Stanwood, looking at her roguishly as

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<v Speaker 1>she helped him to a second piece of pie. I

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<v Speaker 1>anger towards you, repeated Natty, coloring, Yes, you do not

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<v Speaker 1>want me to accept miss Archer's most kind invitation and

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<v Speaker 1>remain Now confess, did you, he asked, laughing. Natty was

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<v Speaker 1>rather embarrassed at this instance of the young man's perceptive faculties,

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<v Speaker 1>and not exactly able to refute the charge, was somewhat

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<v Speaker 1>at loss how to reply. I I do not get

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<v Speaker 1>acquainted quite so easily, a sin, he stammered. Except on

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<v Speaker 1>the wire, Sin added, Except on the wire, repeated Natty,

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<v Speaker 1>with a smile. Then meeting the curious glance of mister Stanward,

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<v Speaker 1>it suddenly flashed upon her that he was the same

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<v Speaker 1>young gentleman who called at the office and inquired about

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<v Speaker 1>the tariff to Washington for the sole object of talking.

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<v Speaker 1>As she then supposed, I have seen you before, she exclaimed,

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<v Speaker 1>on the impulse of the moment. I sounded like a novel.

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<v Speaker 1>What is coming now, ejaculated Joe with his mouthful of pie.

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<v Speaker 1>Mister Stanward laughed very heartily at Natty's exclamation and asked

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<v Speaker 1>in reply, have you just discovered it? I recognized you

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<v Speaker 1>the moment I entered the woman today. That is one

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<v Speaker 1>reason I was so anxious to remain. She snubbed me

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<v Speaker 1>murst outrageously, he added to Sin in explanation, and simply

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<v Speaker 1>because I tried to be agree to her one day

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<v Speaker 1>at the office. But you had no business to be agreeable,

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<v Speaker 1>said Natty, also laughing and not at all displeased. Of course,

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<v Speaker 1>you had not interrupted, Joe. I never talked to strangers,

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<v Speaker 1>concluded Natty, except perhaps on the wire, as you said

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<v Speaker 1>just now, he suggested. You have caught her now, said

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<v Speaker 1>Sin gaily, as she piled an orange. But you will

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<v Speaker 1>never do even that again, will you, nat?

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<v Speaker 2>One?

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<v Speaker 1>Such experience is quite enough for me, Natty replied. Still

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<v Speaker 1>the next one, why not a red air or smell

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<v Speaker 1>of musk? Joe remarked he might be even worse, though,

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<v Speaker 1>interposed the penitent on the stool with a strangely puzzled look.

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<v Speaker 1>Mister Stanward glanced from one to the other, observing which

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<v Speaker 1>since said, you don't understand? Of course, may I tell him?

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<v Speaker 1>Nat Ah? Well, yes, Natty replied, with an air of

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<v Speaker 1>vexed resignation. I suppose I may as well make up

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<v Speaker 1>my mind to be laughed at on account of that story.

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<v Speaker 1>For ever in a day, I am as much a

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<v Speaker 1>victim as you, For I was intensely interested in the

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<v Speaker 1>un known, laughed Sinn. Then, turning to mister Stanald, she

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<v Speaker 1>went on, it appears telegraph operators of a way of

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<v Speaker 1>talking together over the wire, knowing little about each other

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<v Speaker 1>and nothing at all of their mutual personal appearance. In

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<v Speaker 1>this manner, nat became acquainted with a young man whom

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<v Speaker 1>she knew as Sea, and grew to speak mildly interested

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<v Speaker 1>in him. Now, nat you know you did, and so,

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<v Speaker 1>as I remarked previously, did I we were introduced over

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<v Speaker 1>the wire. In fact, he seemed everything that was nice

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<v Speaker 1>and agreeable. And if we did not actually fall in

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<v Speaker 1>love with him, you see, I am sharing your glory

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<v Speaker 1>all I can, nat It is a wonder if this

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<v Speaker 1>sea knew the impression he made on two young ladies,

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<v Speaker 1>he would certainly feel complimented. Mister Stanward, who was playing

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<v Speaker 1>with his knife and fork here interrupted, Fortunately he never

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<v Speaker 1>really knew, replied Syinn, while Natty looked somewhat gloomily at

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<v Speaker 1>her goblet of coffee in memory of the romance that collapsed.

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<v Speaker 1>To continue this over true tale.

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<v Speaker 2>Thus far all.

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<v Speaker 1>Mysterious, enchanting, romantic, But now comes the dark sequel. One

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<v Speaker 1>day sea called bodily. Mister Stanward started and looked quickly

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<v Speaker 1>up at Natty, who, without observing his glance, murmured contemptuously

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<v Speaker 1>odious creature. At this, he turned with a perplexed look

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<v Speaker 1>again to sin who proceeded, Yes, an odious creature he

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<v Speaker 1>proved to be only think He had red hair and

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<v Speaker 1>dreadful teeth, smelt of musk, wore cheap jewelry, and in short,

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<v Speaker 1>was decidedly vulgar, what exclaimed mister Stanward, staring at her

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<v Speaker 1>as if he thought she was bereft of her senses?

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<v Speaker 1>What And he dropped his knife and fork and persed

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<v Speaker 1>his chair back violently, to the alarm of the Duchess,

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<v Speaker 1>who was immediately behind. Sin appeared astonished at his vehemence,

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<v Speaker 1>but Natty, too occupied with thoughts of this newly revived

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<v Speaker 1>grievance to observe it, repeated red hair, all bear's grease,

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<v Speaker 1>and everything to match. You mean to tell me, mister

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<v Speaker 1>Stanwood asked, looking at her earnestly and speaking with great energy,

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<v Speaker 1>that a person such as you describe called you and

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<v Speaker 1>represented himself to be Sea exactly, Natty replied, first telling

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<v Speaker 1>me he was going away to substitute for a day,

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<v Speaker 1>and then coming upon me in all his odiousness. The

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<v Speaker 1>story seems to interest you, added Sinn, glancing at him scrutinizingly.

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<v Speaker 1>Mister Stanward looked at her at Natty mused a moment,

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<v Speaker 1>and then burst into a laugh equal even to the

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<v Speaker 1>one Quimby had caused. It does interest me, he said,

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<v Speaker 1>as soon as he could speak, very much. Indeed, it

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<v Speaker 1>is really the best joke considered from one point I

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<v Speaker 1>ever heard. And of course, after that day Sea was cut.

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<v Speaker 1>Indeed he was, Natty replied scornfully. Circuit was broken after that,

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<v Speaker 1>Joe added, technically a new romance was spoiled in the

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<v Speaker 1>first act, added Sinn. Rising from the now vanished feast,

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<v Speaker 1>Poor se ye, said mister Stanward, following her example, Really, Massage,

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<v Speaker 1>I have enjoyed this dinner better than any I ever had,

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<v Speaker 1>and the climax is the best of all. I wish

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<v Speaker 1>you might have such a feast every day, said Joe regretfully.

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<v Speaker 1>And except the damage, I don't refer to any dumb myself.

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<v Speaker 1>I'm used to it, you know. I quite agree with

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<v Speaker 1>you about the dinner, and.

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<v Speaker 2>Ask for the joke.

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<v Speaker 3>I really was quite a serious one to miss Rogers

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<v Speaker 3>at the time, I assure you. Bless my soul used

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<v Speaker 3>to have seen how how blue she was for a week,

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<v Speaker 3>you know, said Quimby, Natty colored as mister Stanward glanced

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<v Speaker 3>at her, and, knowing he could not but notice the blush,

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<v Speaker 3>thought angrily, how dreadful it is to have such an honest,

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<v Speaker 3>outspoken people as Quimby about Come nat and help me

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<v Speaker 3>clear away the remains.

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<v Speaker 2>Said Sym.

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<v Speaker 1>Apparently glad enough was Natty to obey and turn aside.

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<v Speaker 1>Her burning face from the sight of those merry brown eyes.

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<v Speaker 1>In a very few moments, the banquishing Hall was transformed

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<v Speaker 1>to a parlor, with only Quimby sucking an orange on

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<v Speaker 1>his stool that he refused to leave, Joe cracking nuts,

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<v Speaker 1>and the Duchess eating a fig to tell of what

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<v Speaker 1>had been end of Chapter nine