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<v Speaker 1>Chapter ten of Wired Love by el achieve a Fare.

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<v Speaker 1>This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. The broken

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<v Speaker 1>circuit reunited, mister Stanward sat down at the table where

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<v Speaker 1>Natty was looking over Sinn's album, and seemed to have

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<v Speaker 1>become very thoughtful. Sin meanwhile busied herself in dressing an

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<v Speaker 1>ugly gash the ever unfortunate Quimby had managed to inflict

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<v Speaker 1>on his hand. Suddenly, Natty was disturbed by mister Stanward

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<v Speaker 1>drumming with a pencil on the marble top of the table,

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<v Speaker 1>and glancing up casually observed his eyes fixed upon her

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<v Speaker 1>with a peculiar expression, and at the same moment her

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<v Speaker 1>ear seemed to catch a familiar sound. With a slight start,

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<v Speaker 1>she listened more attentively to his seemingly idle drumming. Yes,

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<v Speaker 1>whether knowingly or by accident, he certainly was making dots

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<v Speaker 1>and dashes, and what is more, was making ends. I

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<v Speaker 1>will soon ascertain if he means it or not, thought Natty,

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<v Speaker 1>and seizing a pair of scissors, the only adaptable instrument handy,

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<v Speaker 1>she drummed out slowly an account of the imperfectness of

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<v Speaker 1>her impromptu key, pretending all the while to be entirely

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<v Speaker 1>absorbed in the album. Are you an operator? Mister Stanward,

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<v Speaker 1>in his turn, seemingly deeply engaged in the contents of

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<v Speaker 1>a book, immediately drummed in response. Yes. Natty felt the

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<v Speaker 1>color come into her face. Oh dear, she thought, and

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<v Speaker 1>Sinn told him that ridiculous story. Every operator in town

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<v Speaker 1>all note now. Then with the scissors, she asked, why

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<v Speaker 1>didn't you say so? Where is your office? I have

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<v Speaker 1>done now, the pencil answered, while sin, glancing across the room,

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<v Speaker 1>wondered to see the two so studious and unsuspiciously asked

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<v Speaker 1>Quimby if he supposed they were practicing for a drum corps.

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<v Speaker 1>After a few meaningless dots, the pencil went on. Her

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<v Speaker 1>Little girl at b M was dreadfully sold. One day,

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<v Speaker 1>the album Natty held fell from her hands as she

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<v Speaker 1>stared petrified at her vis a VI, who kept his

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<v Speaker 1>eyes on his book with the most innocent expression imaginable,

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<v Speaker 1>one that even a Chinaman could not have equalled. Where

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<v Speaker 1>could he have heard those words once so familiar? A

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<v Speaker 1>moment's thought gave her the most probable key. You are

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<v Speaker 1>in the main office of this city and have heard

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<v Speaker 1>me talking with c. She wrote, as fast as the

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<v Speaker 1>scissors would let her. No to the first of your surmise,

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<v Speaker 1>came the pencil, and yes to the last. What office

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<v Speaker 1>were you in? The scissors, asked x N, responded the pencil.

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<v Speaker 1>What with c asked the scissors. And if ever there

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<v Speaker 1>was a pair of excited scissors, these were the ones. Well, yes,

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<v Speaker 1>replied the pencil, with provoking slowness. Don't you see the point?

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<v Speaker 1>Can't you see that you did not see the sea

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<v Speaker 1>you thought you did see that day? Natty's breath came

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<v Speaker 1>fast and her hand trembled as she could not hold

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<v Speaker 1>the scissors. With a crash, they dropped on the table,

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<v Speaker 1>making one loud, long dash, But the imperturbable pencil went

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<v Speaker 1>on calmly. It was all a mistake, I am see.

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<v Speaker 1>Disdaining scissors and pencil, Natty started up, exclaiming vehemently, what

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<v Speaker 1>do you mean It can't be possible. The consternation of

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<v Speaker 1>sin who was just informing Quimby as his wound would

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<v Speaker 1>do very well now, the horror of the patient, and

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<v Speaker 1>the surprise of Joe Norton at this emphatic and unaccountable

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<v Speaker 1>outburst from the hitherto so silent Natty was indescribable. Good gracious,

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<v Speaker 1>nat What in the world is the matter? Cried Sinn,

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<v Speaker 1>starting up and bringing the bottle of liniment she held

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<v Speaker 1>in violent contact with Quimby's head, a circumstance that even

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<v Speaker 1>the victim did not notice, so absorbed was he in amazement.

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<v Speaker 1>Pet Natty's actually mister Stanward threw aside his book, pencil

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<v Speaker 1>and innocent countenance together and regardless of any one but her,

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<v Speaker 1>sprang to his feet, advanced with both hands extended and

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<v Speaker 1>shining eyes, saying, I mean just what I said, It

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<v Speaker 1>is possible. Hardly knowing what she did. Utterly confused and bewildered,

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<v Speaker 1>Natty placed her hand in the two that clasped it,

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<v Speaker 1>while Sinn stared with distended eyes, Quimby with wide open mouth,

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<v Speaker 1>and Joe gave a long whistle. Sin was first to

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<v Speaker 1>recover and began to scold. Well, She exclaimed, this is

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<v Speaker 1>a pretty piece of business, never yet played on any stage.

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<v Speaker 1>I should think, nat Will you or will somebody have

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<v Speaker 1>the goodness to explain this sudden and extraordinary scene. I

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<v Speaker 1>I don't understand, Natty murmured, faintly and looking half frightened

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<v Speaker 1>and half beseechingly. At mister Stanward, who, in response smiled

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<v Speaker 1>and said, with a firmer clasp of the hand he

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<v Speaker 1>still held, I will explain in a few moments how

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<v Speaker 1>it is possible that I am the will say. What

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<v Speaker 1>screamed Sin? What shouted Joe? What? Absolutely yelled Quimby. There

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<v Speaker 1>has been a mistake, mister Stanwood said, now looking at Sinn. Mistake,

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<v Speaker 1>She repeated excitedly, What do you mean you see our

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<v Speaker 1>sea of the wire? Nonsense? You are joking, Yes, he

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<v Speaker 1>is joking, Quimby reiterated, but his teeth chattered as he spoke.

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<v Speaker 1>He is a dreadful fellow to joke. Clem is clem,

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<v Speaker 1>cried Sin and Natty in the same breath. Do you

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<v Speaker 1>begin to believe me? Said the gentleman who had caused

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<v Speaker 1>all this disturbance, and looking at Natty, who, now becoming

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<v Speaker 1>conscious that her hand was yet in his withdrew it

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<v Speaker 1>hastily with a deep blush. I don't know what to think,

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<v Speaker 1>cried Sinn. Do explain something quick, or I shall burst

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<v Speaker 1>a blood vessel with impatience. Are now I shall? Exclaimed Joe.

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<v Speaker 1>Mister Stanward complied by saying the fact of the case

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<v Speaker 1>is simply this, that red haired young man so graphically

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<v Speaker 1>described by you girls, that odious creature, was the operator

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<v Speaker 1>I went to substitute for that day, Oh, said Natty,

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<v Speaker 1>a light beginning to break upon her. But how commenced

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<v Speaker 1>syn I would tell you how if you will be patient,

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<v Speaker 1>mister Stanward interrupted, smiling his office. As you looking at Natty,

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<v Speaker 1>remember had once been on our wire. He had heard

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<v Speaker 1>n and I talking, and in fact had often annoyed

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<v Speaker 1>us by breaking so as he was at the city,

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<v Speaker 1>he took the opportunity to pass himself off for me,

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<v Speaker 1>perhaps the sake for a joke, perhaps from more malicious motives.

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<v Speaker 1>I recognize this description at once from your story to day,

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<v Speaker 1>and I remember too his telling me on his return

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<v Speaker 1>that he knew the best joke of the season, a

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<v Speaker 1>remark I did not notice the was supposing it concerned me, yes,

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<v Speaker 1>said Natty eagerly. And he was very particular to ask

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<v Speaker 1>me not to mention his call on the wire. I

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<v Speaker 1>do not suppose he imagined that we would eventually discover

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<v Speaker 1>the fraud, however, and so we should had not you,

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<v Speaker 1>looking rather reproachfully at Natty in your haste to drop

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<v Speaker 1>so undesirable an acquaintance avoided the least hint of the

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<v Speaker 1>true cause. Now the dickens was I to know? What

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<v Speaker 1>was the matter? Puzzled my brains. Enough over it, I

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<v Speaker 1>assure you, And that red headed and postor has been

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<v Speaker 1>chuckling in his sleeve ever since, I suppose, said sin indignantly. Then,

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<v Speaker 1>seizing mister Stanward by the arms, she cried, in a

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<v Speaker 1>transport of delight. And it really is true you are

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<v Speaker 1>our sea? What am I not yet believed? He questioned, laughing,

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<v Speaker 1>What more shall I do to convince you of my identity?

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<v Speaker 1>You accected our red headed friend readily enough. Oh I

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<v Speaker 1>believe you, cried Natty eagerly, then stopped and colored abashed

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<v Speaker 1>at her own so plainly shown delight. But mister Stanward

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<v Speaker 1>looked at her with a gratified expression on his brown eyes.

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<v Speaker 1>And you will not snub me any more, will you,

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<v Speaker 1>he said, pleadingly, because I never use bear's grease or musk,

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<v Speaker 1>and my hair isn't red a bit. I will try

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<v Speaker 1>and make amends, Natty answered shyly, adding I ought to

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<v Speaker 1>have known no some mistake. I never could reconcile that creature.

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<v Speaker 1>And and see then I may flatter myself that I

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<v Speaker 1>am an improvement, asked mister Stanward merrily, at which Natty

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<v Speaker 1>murmured something about fishing for compliments, and Sin replied gaily, yes,

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<v Speaker 1>because you have curly hair. You remember what I said

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<v Speaker 1>on the wire via nat Could I forget? He replied gallantly.

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<v Speaker 1>And it isn't a dream. You are a sea, the

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<v Speaker 1>real sea, replied Sin, pinching herself and then seizing Natty, who,

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<v Speaker 1>from the suddenness of it all, was yet in a

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<v Speaker 1>semi bewildered state. I was not a bit of unhappiness

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<v Speaker 1>in it, though, waltzt ecstatically round the room, crying, Oh,

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<v Speaker 1>I am so glad, I am so glad. At this

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<v Speaker 1>point Quimby, who during the preceding explanation had listened with

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<v Speaker 1>a face illustrating every variety of consternation and dismay, attracted

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<v Speaker 1>attention to himself by an audible groan, observing which he

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<v Speaker 1>muttered something about his wound. The word had a double

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<v Speaker 1>meaning for him. Then poor fellow and Rising came forward,

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<v Speaker 1>took his friend by the shoulder and asked, solemnly, now

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<v Speaker 1>clam er, I beg pardon, but is it is this

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<v Speaker 1>all true? And not one of your jokes. You know, honestly,

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<v Speaker 1>are you that that sea here is a doubting Thomas?

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<v Speaker 1>For you, cried claim gaily. But upon my word of honor,

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<v Speaker 1>old boy, I truly and honestly am that sea. And

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<v Speaker 1>I suppose you were the other visitor of no consequence

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<v Speaker 1>who called with miss Archer that day. I was favored

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<v Speaker 1>by an introduction to her. How little I thought it, then,

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<v Speaker 1>how little I thought it, groaned Quimby, as his hand

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<v Speaker 1>fell dejectedly from Clem's shoulder. But I am used to it,

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<v Speaker 1>you know, so, saying he sank into a chair, that

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<v Speaker 1>he had brought about such a result as this, that

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<v Speaker 1>he had resurrected the dreaded sea from the grave of musk,

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<v Speaker 1>and Bear's grease was too much. But now that all

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<v Speaker 1>is explained, I am really not sorry for the mistake,

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<v Speaker 1>Clem said, utterly, unconscious of his friend's state of mind.

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<v Speaker 1>Or had it not been for that, I should never

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<v Speaker 1>have learned as I have to day from you two ladies.

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<v Speaker 1>What a very interesting and agreeable fellow I am. And

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<v Speaker 1>he bowed profoundly, with a twinkle of merriment in his eyes.

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<v Speaker 1>Over the wire. Natty added pointedly. Of course over the wire,

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<v Speaker 1>he said, with another bow. But it shall be my

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<v Speaker 1>endeavor to make good my reputation. Minus the wire, you

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<v Speaker 1>will have to walk very hard to place. Mister Stanward

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<v Speaker 1>ware see was in our good graces, said Sin archly.

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<v Speaker 1>Then suppose we drop the mister Stanwood and take up Clem,

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<v Speaker 1>who already was somewhat advanced, he said, adrightly. Ah, Clem

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<v Speaker 1>sounds more natural, doesn't it, that, questioned Sinn, laughing. We

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<v Speaker 1>knew Clem and see, but mister Stanwood is a stranger.

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<v Speaker 1>Then let us drop him by all means. And now

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<v Speaker 1>say you are glad to see your old friend, said

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<v Speaker 1>Clem gaily. We had transported with delights, beholding out Clem

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<v Speaker 1>so lately given up as lost for ever, Sin replied

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<v Speaker 1>with equal gaiety, and Clem, then looking at Natty as

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<v Speaker 1>if he expected her to say something also, she murmured,

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<v Speaker 1>I am very glad to meet See, a remark that

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<v Speaker 1>sounded cold beside that of enthusiastic Sin, But in fact

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<v Speaker 1>Natty was so confused, so happy, and so strangely timid

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<v Speaker 1>that she longed to get away by herself and think

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<v Speaker 1>it all over and quietly realize it and besire rides

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<v Speaker 1>in her secret heart. Natty felt a growing conviction that

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<v Speaker 1>Sin used the plural pronoun we more than previous circumstances

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<v Speaker 1>actually warranted. But Net, said Sin, all unconscious of her

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<v Speaker 1>friend's jealous criticism, you have not yet told me how

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<v Speaker 1>you found him out. He telegraphed to me with a

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<v Speaker 1>pencil on the table, and coolly informed me that he

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<v Speaker 1>was seeing Natty explained. And then you jumped up and

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<v Speaker 1>throw us uninitiated ones into a great state of alarm,

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<v Speaker 1>said Sin. And instead of practicing for a drum cause

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<v Speaker 1>I supposed you were talking secretly, you sly creatures. Then

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<v Speaker 1>turned to Clym, She asked, laughing, what did you think

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<v Speaker 1>when Net dropped you so suddenly and completely? What could

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<v Speaker 1>I think except that it was a caprice of hers?

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<v Speaker 1>He answered, laughing. At first I thought you was vexed

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<v Speaker 1>at my having gone to b A, but she denied that,

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<v Speaker 1>and finally I believe I became angry myself and concluded

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<v Speaker 1>to let her have her own way. Nevertheless, I could

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<v Speaker 1>not resist calling to see her when I came to

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<v Speaker 1>the city, and had I met with any encouragement, I

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<v Speaker 1>should probably have declared myself but I was annihilated without ceremony.

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<v Speaker 1>You would not have been perhaps had you been honest

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<v Speaker 1>in the first place instead of asking unnecessary questions about tariffs,

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<v Speaker 1>replied Natty. Yes, but you were to recognize me by intuition.

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<v Speaker 1>You know I wanted to give you a chance, responded

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<v Speaker 1>Clem quickly. Natty looked a trifle abashed. But I am

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<v Speaker 1>quite sure I should have suspected it was you, had

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<v Speaker 1>I not given you up as hopelessly red headed. She persisted.

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<v Speaker 1>Why Almost the very first question the creature asked me

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<v Speaker 1>was do you see that twinkle? So he heard and

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<v Speaker 1>treasured that remark to some purpose. He said, well, I

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<v Speaker 1>will not dispute your intuition theory, since your last words

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<v Speaker 1>assure me that I do not fall so far short

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<v Speaker 1>of your imaginary sea as did my personator. I imagine

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<v Speaker 1>your expression of countenance on learning the intil diligence was

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<v Speaker 1>hardly flattering to his vanity. Natty, who had colored at

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<v Speaker 1>the first of his remark, replied contemptuously, his self conceit

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<v Speaker 1>was too great to attribute my very uncordial reception to anything, except,

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<v Speaker 1>as he said, my bashfulness. I presume it has afforded

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<v Speaker 1>him great enjoyment to think how successfully he stepped into

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<v Speaker 1>your shoes, and what a joke he had played upon

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<v Speaker 1>me upon us, you mean, corrected Clem, certainly upon us,

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<v Speaker 1>Natty replied, with another flash of color. I remember how

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<v Speaker 1>indifferent he seemed when I hinted that now we had met,

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<v Speaker 1>the chief pleasure of talking on the wire was gone.

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<v Speaker 1>And I believe he didn't actually say in so many

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<v Speaker 1>words that he was see but left me to understand it.

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<v Speaker 1>So and I am indebted to him for being such

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<v Speaker 1>a lonesome, miserable fellow the latter part of my telegraphic career,

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<v Speaker 1>said Clem rather savagely. Natty murmured something about the time

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<v Speaker 1>passing pleasanter when there was summon to talk with, and

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<v Speaker 1>Sinn asked curiously, then you have left the dot and

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<v Speaker 1>dash business, have you? Oh? Yes, it was merely temporary

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<v Speaker 1>with me, Clem replied, then seating himself on the sofa

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<v Speaker 1>beside Natty and drawing up a chair for sin between

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<v Speaker 1>himself and Joe Crimpying at the other end of the room.

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<v Speaker 1>A prey to his emotions, Clem continued, The truth of

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<v Speaker 1>the matter is simply this, my father, with a big

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<v Speaker 1>headedness worthy of Eugene Raeburns m R. F In, our

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<v Speaker 1>mutual friend, determined to make a doctor of me, not

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<v Speaker 1>on account of any qualifications of mine, but for the

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<v Speaker 1>simple reason that a doctor is a good thing to

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<v Speaker 1>have in a family. But I having an intense dislike

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<v Speaker 1>to the smell of drugs, a repugnance to knowing anything

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<v Speaker 1>more than absolutely necessary about the ills that flesh is

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<v Speaker 1>heir to, and decided objections to having the sleep of

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<v Speaker 1>my future life disturbed declined, and at the same time

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<v Speaker 1>expressed a desire to go into the store with him

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<v Speaker 1>and become a merchant, upon which my most immediate ancestor,

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<v Speaker 1>Waxed Wrath, called me, in plain, unvarnished words, a fool

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<v Speaker 1>and a pretty one. I was to set myself up

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<v Speaker 1>against his will, I who couldn't earn my salt without

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<v Speaker 1>him to back me. Being of a contrary opinion myself,

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<v Speaker 1>I determined to test my abilities in the salt line.

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<v Speaker 1>I began looking at Natty merrily by salting you, then

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<v Speaker 1>explaining to Sin Joe and the silent quimby salt tis

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<v Speaker 1>the term operator's use when one tries to send faster

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<v Speaker 1>than the other can receive. I began my acquaintance with

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<v Speaker 1>n by trying to sault her to go on with

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<v Speaker 1>my narrative. I had learned to telegraph at college, where

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<v Speaker 1>the boys had private wires from whom to wom, and

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<v Speaker 1>being acquainted with all of the managers in our city,

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<v Speaker 1>succeeded in obtaining that very undesirable office down there at

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<v Speaker 1>x M, where I remained until my stern parent relented,

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<v Speaker 1>concluded to hire a doctor instead of making one, and

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<v Speaker 1>offered me the control of a branch of the firm

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<v Speaker 1>here in your city. And here I am, And if

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<v Speaker 1>isn't it strange, you shall stumbled upon us feast and

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<v Speaker 1>all said sin laughing. Natty was again disturbed by the

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<v Speaker 1>plural pronoun, and also angry at herself for observing it

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<v Speaker 1>isn't it Clem answered merrily, what a lucky fellow I am,

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<v Speaker 1>you see, Not being at all acquainted in the city,

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<v Speaker 1>I hunted up my old college friend Quimby, who asked

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<v Speaker 1>me to call on some lady friends of his, mentioning

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<v Speaker 1>no names, which of course I was only too glad

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<v Speaker 1>to do. Imagine my surprise and delight when I discovered

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<v Speaker 1>who those friends were. But I don't know, as I

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<v Speaker 1>should have dared to reveal myself, having been so often

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<v Speaker 1>stopped with a roguish glance at Natty. If that story

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<v Speaker 1>had been told and the mystery sold. Imagine my dismay, though,

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<v Speaker 1>at being called an odious creature, and the surprise with

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<v Speaker 1>which I listened to my own description. So earnest were

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<v Speaker 1>you that I actually, for a moment thought my hair

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<v Speaker 1>must have turned red. And he ran his fingers through

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<v Speaker 1>his curly locks with a rueful face. The girls laughed,

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<v Speaker 1>and Sin exclaimed, well, Pace, it is you taught that

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<v Speaker 1>picture that yes, a Quiercedtatty, adding an explanation to Clem,

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<v Speaker 1>You remember that pen and ink sketch. My first act

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<v Speaker 1>of vengeance was to destroy it. Never mind, Joe will

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<v Speaker 1>do another, will you not, asked Clem, turning to that gentleman, who,

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<v Speaker 1>upon being thus appealed to arose, laid down a nutcracker

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<v Speaker 1>he held and said, with the utmost solemnity, Joe is

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<v Speaker 1>ready to draw anything. But Joe is aghast and orrified

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<v Speaker 1>at being mixed, even in the slightest degree, with anything

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<v Speaker 1>so near approaching the romantic as the affair in question.

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<v Speaker 1>What is use of a fellow shaven off his air.

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<v Speaker 1>I'd like to know if such things as these will happen.

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<v Speaker 1>It's no use fighting against nature, laughed Sin. The romance

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<v Speaker 1>always has been, since the world was, and always will be.

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<v Speaker 1>I s appeals. Your turn will come, Joe. I have

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<v Speaker 1>no doubt we shall see you, a long haireddavlous sentimental

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<v Speaker 1>artist yet never cried Joe heroically. But you must confess

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<v Speaker 1>this affair of taking une du advantage of a fellow

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<v Speaker 1>a wire romance is something entirely unexpected, and besides, viewed telegraphically,

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<v Speaker 1>there is nothing at all romantic in the whole affair,

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<v Speaker 1>said Natty, who, between her confusion at the turn the

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<v Speaker 1>conversation had taken and her alarm lest something should be

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<v Speaker 1>said about that chubby cupid whom it will be remembered

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<v Speaker 1>she had suppressed in her former description to see, was

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<v Speaker 1>decidedly embarrassed. Before Joe could express his satisfaction at this statement,

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<v Speaker 1>Clem exclaimed, reproachfully, Oh, do not say that, not even

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<v Speaker 1>to spare our friend's feelings. Can I deny the romance

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<v Speaker 1>of our acquaintance? I quite agree with you, said Syn,

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<v Speaker 1>I really believe NAT's going over to Jew's ideas. Never mind,

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<v Speaker 1>must wait until your turn comes. You unsentimental Joe, madam cried, Joe,

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<v Speaker 1>when I find myself in a condition you describe, I

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<v Speaker 1>will come and place a disposal myself in your hands.

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<v Speaker 1>And he made her a profound bow. There is many

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<v Speaker 1>a true word spoken in jest, and none of the

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<v Speaker 1>little party there assembled imagined how true indeed these words

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<v Speaker 1>were to prove, as Sin gaily answered, it is a bargain, Joe,

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<v Speaker 1>and I shall have no mercy on your I can

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<v Speaker 1>assure you. And we must not forget that we aredebted

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<v Speaker 1>to Quimby for the unraveling of all this mystery, said Natty.

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<v Speaker 1>She smiled at him, where he sat in his dismayed

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<v Speaker 1>isolation as she spoke, And although it was the warmest

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<v Speaker 1>smile she had ever yet bestowed upon him, he was

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<v Speaker 1>rendered no happier by its warmth. Yes, how fortunate it

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<v Speaker 1>was claim that you looked him up, said Sin. Natty

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<v Speaker 1>wondered that she could pronounce the familiar name so easily.

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<v Speaker 1>It was quite sure she herself could not, was it not,

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<v Speaker 1>exclaimed clem delightedly? And what is better than all? I

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<v Speaker 1>am coming here to room with him at this Joe

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<v Speaker 1>shook him cordially by the hand. Sin and Natty gave

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<v Speaker 1>exclamations of pleasure, and Quimby suddenly started into life. I

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<v Speaker 1>beg pardon, he said, hastily, But I I really I

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<v Speaker 1>thought you said you had rather be fa the down town.

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<v Speaker 1>You know, yes, that was my first inclination. But as

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<v Speaker 1>you urged me so much, and as I find so

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<v Speaker 1>many old friends here, I have concluded to accept your offer,

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<v Speaker 1>my boy, to consider the matter settled, replied Clem, And

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<v Speaker 1>in his own entire satisfaction and unconsciousness, Clem did not observe.

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<v Speaker 1>But what Quimby looked as happy as might be expected

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<v Speaker 1>at this intelligence. Well won't we have a jolly time?

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<v Speaker 1>Sang Sin and Clem. Natty and Joe, but not Quimby,

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<v Speaker 1>took up the chorus, and obtuse as he was, Quimby

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<v Speaker 1>could not but observe that Natty's eyes were shining in

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<v Speaker 1>a way he had never seen them shine before, that

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<v Speaker 1>the ever coming and going flush on her cheeks was

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<v Speaker 1>very becoming, and there was an expression in her face

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<v Speaker 1>when she looked at Clem that face had never held

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<v Speaker 1>for him. Nor could he fail to think that the

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<v Speaker 1>romantic commencement of the acquaintance of these two. Even the

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<v Speaker 1>episode of the musque centered impostor all now enhanced the

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<v Speaker 1>interest Natty had once felt for the Invisible Sea. Neither

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<v Speaker 1>did he need a prophet to tell him that the

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<v Speaker 1>two girls would sit up half the night talking confidentially

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<v Speaker 1>over this unexpected and happy denu more, even that Natty's

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<v Speaker 1>sleep would not be quite as sound as usual. Love,

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<v Speaker 1>it is said it's blind, so to some things perhaps

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<v Speaker 1>it is, but never to arrival. And when at last

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<v Speaker 1>Clem tore himself away with a remark, what a fortunate

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<v Speaker 1>day this has been. Whenby my dear boy, how can

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<v Speaker 1>I thank you? I shall take possession of my half

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<v Speaker 1>of your apartment at once, to be sure no one

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<v Speaker 1>shall again usurp my place until then, au revoir, and

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<v Speaker 1>in parting perceptibly held Natty's hand longer than was absent

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<v Speaker 1>absolutely necessary. Quimby followed him with dejected mien, fully aware

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<v Speaker 1>that of all the mistakes he had ever made, he

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<v Speaker 1>committed the worst when he asked his old chum to

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<v Speaker 1>call on some lady friends of his end of Chapter ten,