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<v Speaker 1>Chapter twenty seven of Cloudy Jewel. This is a LibriVox recording.

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<v Speaker 1>All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more

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<v Speaker 1>information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. Recording

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<v Speaker 1>by Tera Mendoza. Cloudy Jewel by Grace livingstone Hill, Chapter

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<v Speaker 1>twenty seven. Clive Terrance hung around. He calmly took it

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<v Speaker 1>for granite that the Clouds wanted him as long as

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<v Speaker 1>he condescended to stay. In fact, it wouldn't have troubled

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<v Speaker 1>him whether they wanted him or not if he wanted

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<v Speaker 1>to stay. He had discovered that Leslie was the very

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<v Speaker 1>same kind of a peach which her younger days had

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<v Speaker 1>promised her to be, and there was plenty of good fun,

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<v Speaker 1>so he stayed. He said he wanted to see what

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<v Speaker 1>the college was like before he made his decision, and

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<v Speaker 1>day after day went by with apparently no plans whatever

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<v Speaker 1>for leaving in the near future. Julia Cloud didn't like him.

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<v Speaker 1>She had admitted that much to herself the very first evening,

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<v Speaker 1>and for that reason she was vices cordial to him,

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<v Speaker 1>as she might have been if she had liked him better.

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<v Speaker 1>She reasoned that it was unfair to take a sudden

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<v Speaker 1>dislike that way, and perhaps it was only a sign

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<v Speaker 1>he needed a bit of their home. All the more

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<v Speaker 1>so she made him welcome and treated him as she

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<v Speaker 1>did any other boys who came. But more and more,

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<v Speaker 1>as the days slipped by, she did not like him.

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<v Speaker 1>At first, she was a bit worried about his influence

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<v Speaker 1>on Allison, till she saw that he merely annoyed Allison.

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<v Speaker 1>Then she began to be annoyed by his constant attendance

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<v Speaker 1>on Leslie, And finally she grew exceedingly restless and anxious.

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<v Speaker 1>This day succeeded day, and Howard came no more. Finally,

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<v Speaker 1>one evening, just before dinner, she went to the phone

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<v Speaker 1>and called up the college. It happened that she caught

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<v Speaker 1>Howard just as he was going down to dinner. She

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<v Speaker 1>told him they were homesick for him, and there was

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<v Speaker 1>roast lamb and green peas and strawberry shortcake for dinner.

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<v Speaker 1>Wouldn't he come? He came? Who could refuse Julia Cloud?

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<v Speaker 1>But the face of Clive Terence was a study. When

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<v Speaker 1>unannounced Howard entered the living room, Julia had seen him

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<v Speaker 1>coming and quietly opened the door. Such a storm of

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<v Speaker 1>delighted welcome as met him, warmed his heart and dispelled

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<v Speaker 1>the evil spirits that had haunted him during the week.

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<v Speaker 1>In the chatter of talk while they were being seated

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<v Speaker 1>at the dinner table, the visitor was almost forgotten, and

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<v Speaker 1>he sat watching them glumly while Allison and Leslie eagerly

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<v Speaker 1>discussed plans for some society in which they seemed to

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<v Speaker 1>be interested. At last, he grew weary of being ignored,

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<v Speaker 1>and then the first pause, he languidly drawled Leslie, I

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<v Speaker 1>think you and I'll take the ca and go in

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<v Speaker 1>town to show this evening. I'm bored to death. Leslie

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<v Speaker 1>looked at him with flashing eyes and then extinguished him

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<v Speaker 1>with her cool tone, do you well think again, I'm

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<v Speaker 1>having a lovely time, and went on talking to Howard

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<v Speaker 1>about the senior play that was to come off the

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<v Speaker 1>next week. It did not suit Clive in the least

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<v Speaker 1>to be ignored, so he started in to tell about

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<v Speaker 1>other senior plays in other colleges where he had been,

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<v Speaker 1>and quite made himself the center of the stage, laughing

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<v Speaker 1>at as jokes and addressing all his remarks to Leslie

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<v Speaker 1>until her cheeks grew hot with annoyance. She wanted so

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<v Speaker 1>to hear what Howard and Allison were talking about. In

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<v Speaker 1>low grave tones. She watched the strong, fine face of

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<v Speaker 1>Howard Letchworth, and it suddenly came over her that he

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<v Speaker 1>seemed very far away from her, like a friend who

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<v Speaker 1>used to be but had moved away. Something in her

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<v Speaker 1>throat hurt, and a sinking feeling came in her heart.

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<v Speaker 1>Like a flash. It came to her that Howard Letchworth

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<v Speaker 1>would be graduated in three more weeks, and perhaps would

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<v Speaker 1>go away then, and they would see him no more.

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<v Speaker 1>She caught a word or two now and then as

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<v Speaker 1>he talked to Allison that indicated that he was seriously

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<v Speaker 1>contemplating such a possibility. Yet he had not said a

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<v Speaker 1>word to her about it, and they had been such

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<v Speaker 1>good friends. A grieved look began to grow around her

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<v Speaker 1>expressive little cupid's bow of a mouth, and her big

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<v Speaker 1>eyes grew sorrowful. As she watched the two. She was

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<v Speaker 1>not listening to Clive, who drawled on unaware of her inattention.

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<v Speaker 1>Suddenly Leslie became aware that Clive had risen and was

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<v Speaker 1>standing over her with something in his hand. She had

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<v Speaker 1>taken from his vest, something small and shining, and he

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<v Speaker 1>was saying, one aware it last here, I'll put it

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<v Speaker 1>on you. Then everybody will think we are engaged. It

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<v Speaker 1>was his fraternity pin he was holding out with smiling assurance,

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<v Speaker 1>and the significance of his words came over her as

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<v Speaker 1>a sentence read without comprehension, will suddenly recall itself and

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<v Speaker 1>pierce into the realization. With a stifled cry, she sprang

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<v Speaker 1>away from him. Mercy, no, Clive, I didn't know you

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<v Speaker 1>were so silly. I never wear boys fraternity pins. I

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<v Speaker 1>think such things are too sacred to be trifled with.

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<v Speaker 1>This was what she said, but she was miserably aware

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<v Speaker 1>that Howard had turned away and picked up his hat

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<v Speaker 1>just as Clive had leaned over her with the pin,

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<v Speaker 1>and almost immediately he left. He had been so engrossed

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<v Speaker 1>with his talk with Allison that he had not seemed

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<v Speaker 1>to see her repulsion of Clive and his manner toward

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<v Speaker 1>her as he bade her good night was cool and distant.

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<v Speaker 1>All the pleasant intimacy of all the months together seemed

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<v Speaker 1>suddenly wiped out, and Howard a grown up stranger. She

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<v Speaker 1>felt herself a miserably unhappy little girl. Julia Cloud from

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<v Speaker 1>the advantage of the dining room, where she was doing

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<v Speaker 1>little things for the next day, watched the drama with

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<v Speaker 1>a heavy heart. What had come between her children and

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<v Speaker 1>what could she do about it? The only comfortable thing

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<v Speaker 1>about it seemed to be that each was as unhappy

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<v Speaker 1>as the other. Could it be that Howard Letchworth was

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<v Speaker 1>jealous of his small, souled, spoiled son of fortune who

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<v Speaker 1>was visiting them? Surely not yet what made him act

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<v Speaker 1>in this ridiculous fashion? She felt like shaking him even

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<v Speaker 1>while she pitied him. She half meditated calling him back

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<v Speaker 1>and trying to find out what was the matter, but

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<v Speaker 1>gave it up. After all, what could she do? Leslie.

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<v Speaker 1>As the door closed behind Howard turned with one dagger,

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<v Speaker 1>look at Clive, and dashed upstairs to her room, where

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<v Speaker 1>she locked herself in and cried till her eyes were

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<v Speaker 1>too swollen for steady. But she only told Julia Cloud

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<v Speaker 1>when she came up gently to inquire, that she had

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<v Speaker 1>a bad headache and wanted to go to bed. Julia Cloud,

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<v Speaker 1>kneeling beside her gray couch a little later, laying all

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<v Speaker 1>her troubles on the one who was her strength, found

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<v Speaker 1>it hard not to emphasize her dislike even in prayer

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<v Speaker 1>towards the useless little excuse for a young man who

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<v Speaker 1>was lolling downstairs reading a novel and smoking innumerable cigarettes

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<v Speaker 1>in spite of her expressed wish to the contrary. The

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<v Speaker 1>first Sunday after Young Terence's arrival, it rained and was

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<v Speaker 1>very dismal and cold for spring. Howard had been asked

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<v Speaker 1>to go to a near by reform school for the

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<v Speaker 1>afternoon and speak to the boys, and Jane was caring

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<v Speaker 1>for a little child whose mother was ill in the hospital.

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<v Speaker 1>Leslie was unhappy and restless, wandering from window to window

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<v Speaker 1>looking out. Their guest had chosen to remain in bed

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<v Speaker 1>that morning, so relieving them from the necessity of trying

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<v Speaker 1>to get him to go to church. But he was

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<v Speaker 1>on hand for lunch in immaculate attire, apparently ready for

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<v Speaker 1>a holiday. There was a cozy fire on the hearth,

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<v Speaker 1>and he lulled luxuriously in an arm chair, seemingly well

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<v Speaker 1>pleased with himself and all the world. Julia Cloud wondered

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<v Speaker 1>just what she would better do about the afternoon hour

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<v Speaker 1>with this uncongenial guest on hand. But Leslie and Allison,

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<v Speaker 1>after a hasty, whispered consultation in the dining room, with

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<v Speaker 1>numerous dubious glances towards the guest, ending in wry faces,

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<v Speaker 1>came and settled down with their bibles. As usual, there

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<v Speaker 1>was a loyalty in the quiet act that almost brought

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<v Speaker 1>the tears to Julia Cloud's eyes, and she rewarded them

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<v Speaker 1>with a loving, understanding smile. But when the guest was

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<v Speaker 1>asked to join the little circle, he only stared in amazement.

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<v Speaker 1>He had no idea of trying to conform to their habits. Thanks, No,

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<v Speaker 1>I hate reading aloud. Books always bore me anyway. The Bible,

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<v Speaker 1>oh heck, no, count me out. And he swung one

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<v Speaker 1>leg over the arm of his chair and picked up

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<v Speaker 1>the Sunday Illustrated Supplement, which he had gone out and purchased,

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<v Speaker 1>and which was now strown all about the floor. He

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<v Speaker 1>continued for some time to rattle the paper and whistle

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<v Speaker 1>in a low tone rudely, while the reading went on.

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<v Speaker 1>Then he threw down his paper and lighted a cigarette,

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<v Speaker 1>But that did not seem to soothe his nerves sufficiently,

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<v Speaker 1>so he strolled over to the piano and began to

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<v Speaker 1>drum bits of popular airs and sing in a high

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<v Speaker 1>nasal tone that he was pleased to call Whiskey tinor

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<v Speaker 1>Julia Cloud, with a despairing glance at him, finally closed

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<v Speaker 1>her book and suggested that they had read enough for

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<v Speaker 1>that day, and the little audience drifted away unhappily to

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<v Speaker 1>their rooms. Leslie did not come down again all the

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<v Speaker 1>afternoon until just time for Christian Endeavor. Young Terrence, by

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<v Speaker 1>this time was reduced to almost affability, and looking up hopefully,

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<v Speaker 1>he was about to propose a game of cards, but

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<v Speaker 1>when he saw Leslie, attired in raincoat and hat, he stared, Great, Scott,

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<v Speaker 1>you don't have to go up to college tonight, do you?

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<v Speaker 1>It's raining cats and dogs. Alison and I are going

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<v Speaker 1>to Christian Endeavor, answered Leslie quietly. Would you like to go?

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<v Speaker 1>She had been trying to school herself to give this

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<v Speaker 1>invitation because she thought she ought to, but she hoped

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<v Speaker 1>sincerely it would not be accepted. It seemed as if

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<v Speaker 1>she could not bear to have the whole day spoiled

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<v Speaker 1>for answer. Young Terence laughed extravagantly, Christian Endeavor, what's the

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<v Speaker 1>little old idea? Better come and find out, said Allison,

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<v Speaker 1>coming downstairs just then, Ready Leslie, we'll have to hustle.

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<v Speaker 1>It's gettin late. In alarm at the idea of spending

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<v Speaker 1>any more time alone, the young man arose most unexpectedly,

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<v Speaker 1>Oh sure, I'll go anything for a little fun, and

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<v Speaker 1>he joined them in a moment, more clad in rubber

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<v Speaker 1>coat and storm hat, Leslie could scarcely keep back the

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<v Speaker 1>tears as she walked beside him through the dark street,

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<v Speaker 1>not listening to his boasting about riding the waves in Hawaii.

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<v Speaker 1>Suppose Howard was at the meeting, he would think, what

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<v Speaker 1>would he think? And of course Howard was at the

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<v Speaker 1>meeting that night, for he happened to be the leader.

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<v Speaker 1>Leslie's cheeks burned as she sat down and saw that

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<v Speaker 1>Clive had maneuvered to sit beside her. She tried to

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<v Speaker 1>catch Howard's eyes and fling a greeting tune, but he

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<v Speaker 1>seemed not to see his old friends and to be

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<v Speaker 1>utterly absorbed in hunting up hymns. The first song had

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<v Speaker 1>scarcely died away before Clive began a conversation with a

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<v Speaker 1>low growl, making remarks of what he apparently considered a

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<v Speaker 1>comic nature about everything and everybody in the room, with

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<v Speaker 1>a distinctness that made them entirely audible to those seated

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<v Speaker 1>around them. Leslie's cheeks flamed and her eyes flashed angrily,

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<v Speaker 1>but he only seemed to enjoy it. The morning kept

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<v Speaker 1>on with his running commentary. For pity's sake, Clive keeps, still,

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<v Speaker 1>can't you, whispered Leslie anxiously. They will think you never

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<v Speaker 1>had any bringing up, I should worry, shrugged the amiable

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<v Speaker 1>Clive comically with a motion of his handsome shoulders that

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<v Speaker 1>sent two susceptible young things near him into a series

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<v Speaker 1>of poorly suppressed giggles. Clive looked up and gravely winked

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<v Speaker 1>at them, and the two bent down their heads in sudden,

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<v Speaker 1>hopeless mirth. Clive was delighted. He was having a grand time.

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<v Speaker 1>He could see that the leader was annoyed and disgusted.

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<v Speaker 1>This was balm to his bored soul. He made more

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<v Speaker 1>remarks under cover of a bowed head during the prayer

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<v Speaker 1>and stole glances at the two giggling neighbors. Then he

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<v Speaker 1>nudged Leslie and endeavored to get her to join in

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<v Speaker 1>the mirth. Poor Leslie, with her burning cheeks, her brimming eyes,

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<v Speaker 1>and her angry heart, her last vision of the as

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<v Speaker 1>she bowed her head, had been a haughty, annoyed glance

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<v Speaker 1>in their direction as he said, let us pray. She

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<v Speaker 1>felt that she could not stand another minute of this torture.

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<v Speaker 1>Almost she felt she must get up and go out,

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<v Speaker 1>and she made a hasty little movement to carry out

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<v Speaker 1>the impulse. And then suddenly it came to her that

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<v Speaker 1>if she went, Clive would follow her, and it would

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<v Speaker 1>look to Howard as if she had created the disturbance,

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<v Speaker 1>and they had gone off together to have a good time.

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<v Speaker 1>So she settled down to endure the rest of the meeting,

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<v Speaker 1>lifting miserable eyes of appeal to Allison as soon as

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<v Speaker 1>the prayer was ended. If only there had been a

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<v Speaker 1>seat bacon up front somewhere, a single seat with no

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<v Speaker 1>other near it, where her tormentor could not follow, she

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<v Speaker 1>would have gone to it swiftly. But the seats were

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<v Speaker 1>all filled, and there was nothing to do but sit

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<v Speaker 1>still and frown her disapproval. Perhaps Allison might have done

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<v Speaker 1>something to quiet the guest if he had noticed, but

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<v Speaker 1>Allison was at the moment of Leslie's appeal, deeply wrapped

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<v Speaker 1>in setting down a few items which must be announced

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<v Speaker 1>and He almost immediately arose and went forward with it

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<v Speaker 1>slip of paper, and held a whispered converse with Howard

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<v Speaker 1>Letchworth during the hymn that followed, afterwards taking a chair

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<v Speaker 1>down from the platform and placing it beside the chairman

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<v Speaker 1>of an important committee, that he might consult with him

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<v Speaker 1>about something. During this sudden move on the part of Allison,

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<v Speaker 1>Clive Terence did have his attention turned aside somewhat from

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<v Speaker 1>his mischief making, for he was watching Allison with an

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<v Speaker 1>amazed expression. Not anything that he had seen since coming

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<v Speaker 1>to the town had so astonished him as to see

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<v Speaker 1>this young man of wealth and position, an undoubted strength

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<v Speaker 1>of will and purpose, get up in a church and

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<v Speaker 1>go forward as if he had some business in the affair.

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<v Speaker 1>He sat up with his loose, handsome underlip half dropped

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<v Speaker 1>in surprise, and watched Allison with a curious, startled expression.

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<v Speaker 1>And when a moment later the leader said quietly, our

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<v Speaker 1>president has a message for us, and Allison arose and

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<v Speaker 1>faced the crowded room with an eager, spirited, interested look

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<v Speaker 1>on his face, and began to talk earnestly, outlining a

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<v Speaker 1>plan for a deeper spiritual life among the members his

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<v Speaker 1>expression and was one of utter bewilderment, as if he

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<v Speaker 1>suddenly saw trees walking about the streets or inanimate objects

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<v Speaker 1>beginning to show signs of intellect. He was thinking that

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<v Speaker 1>Alice and Cloud certainly had changed, and was wondering what

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<v Speaker 1>on earth had brought it about. It couldn't be any

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<v Speaker 1>line that his guardian had on him, for he was

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<v Speaker 1>a thousand miles away. Was it that little quiet and

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<v Speaker 1>sipid mouse of an ant that had done it? She

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<v Speaker 1>must be rich or something, the way the brother and

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<v Speaker 1>sister seemed to be tied to her ape and stream.

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<v Speaker 1>Where did al Cloud get that line of talk he

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<v Speaker 1>was handing out? Anyway? Why he talked about God as

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<v Speaker 1>if he were an intimate friend of his, and spoke

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<v Speaker 1>of prayer and Bible reading in the way common ordinary

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<v Speaker 1>people talked of going to breakfast or eating candy, as

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<v Speaker 1>if they were necessary and pleasurable acts. Why it was inconceivable?

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<v Speaker 1>What was he doing it? For? There must be a reason.

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<v Speaker 1>For fully five minutes he sat quiet and puzzled thought

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<v Speaker 1>watching this strange gathering, gradually taking it in that they

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<v Speaker 1>were all taking part in the proceedings, and that they

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<v Speaker 1>seemed interested and eager. Why even those two giggling girls

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<v Speaker 1>who had fallen so readily for his nonsense, had sobered down,

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<v Speaker 1>and one read a verse from the Bible, while the

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<v Speaker 1>other repeated a verse of poetry. He turned and blinked

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<v Speaker 1>at them in wonder. What had so influenced them that

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<v Speaker 1>they all fell in line and performed their part as

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<v Speaker 1>if it were being rehearsed for his benefit? What was

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<v Speaker 1>the motive power? The query interested him to the point

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<v Speaker 1>of good behavior all through the remainder of the meeting,

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<v Speaker 1>And while he was standing waiting for Allison and Leslie

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<v Speaker 1>at the close, it seemed that somehow there was a

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<v Speaker 1>real interest, for they lingered as if there were vital

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<v Speaker 1>matters to discuss, and Leslie was the center of a

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<v Speaker 1>group of quite common looking girls. It must be some

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<v Speaker 1>sort of social settlement work or other connected with the church,

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<v Speaker 1>and some one had induced these two, who were, to

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<v Speaker 1>his thinking of a higher order of being by right

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<v Speaker 1>of wealth and social position, to take an interest and

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<v Speaker 1>run this society or whatever it was. He could not

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<v Speaker 1>make it out at all. He was much discussed that

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<v Speaker 1>the young people insisted on staying to church and had

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<v Speaker 1>a bad hour living through it, although he was surprised

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<v Speaker 1>to find it as interesting as it was. The minister

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<v Speaker 1>seemed quite human, and they had a great deal of singing.

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<v Speaker 1>Still it was all a bore, of course. He found

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<v Speaker 1>a great many things in life to bore him. As

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<v Speaker 1>soon as he and Allison were out on the street,

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<v Speaker 1>he broached the subject, what's the little old idea, old man,

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<v Speaker 1>are you a sort of grand mogul or high priest

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<v Speaker 1>or something to this mob? And what do you get

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<v Speaker 1>out of it? Alison turned and looked solemnly at him

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<v Speaker 1>through the dark, and answered with a kind of glow

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<v Speaker 1>in his voice that seemed to lighten his face and

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<v Speaker 1>puzzle the question in more than all that had gone before.

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<v Speaker 1>I'm just one of them's son, and it happens to

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<v Speaker 1>be my turn just now to be presiding officer. But

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<v Speaker 1>I get out of it more than I ever got

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<v Speaker 1>out of anything in life before. Oh, said Clive inanely,

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<v Speaker 1>quite at a loss to know what he meant. I

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<v Speaker 1>never knew before that people could know God personally, be

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<v Speaker 1>his pal sort of, you know, and work with him.

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<v Speaker 1>And it's been great, added Allison. Oh, said Clive once more,

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<v Speaker 1>quite weakly, not knowing what else to say, and they

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<v Speaker 1>walked on for almost a block without speaking another word.

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<v Speaker 1>Clive was thinking that certainly Allison had changed, as that

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<v Speaker 1>an mannerly chump on the train had said changed most

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<v Speaker 1>perplexingly and peculiarly. But Allison had forgotten almost that Clive

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<v Speaker 1>was there. He was thinking over some good news he

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<v Speaker 1>had to tell Jane about a protegee of hers who

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<v Speaker 1>had taken a shy part in the meeting, and wondering

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<v Speaker 1>if he could get away for a few minutes to

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<v Speaker 1>run up and tell her, or if it would be

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<v Speaker 1>better to call her up on the phone. Howard Letchworth

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<v Speaker 1>had not come home with them. He had whispered a

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<v Speaker 1>hurried excuse to Allison about some one he had to

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<v Speaker 1>see up at college before they left for the city,

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<v Speaker 1>and hurried away at the close of the meeting, and Leslie,

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<v Speaker 1>with a choking feeling in her throat and burning tears

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<v Speaker 1>held back from her eyes by mighty effort, announced to

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<v Speaker 1>Allison that she wasn't coming home just now, that she

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<v Speaker 1>was going to stay for a little after the prayer

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<v Speaker 1>meeting the Lookout Committee were having. She would walk with

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<v Speaker 1>the Martins, who went right by their door for Leslie

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<v Speaker 1>was done with Clive Terence, and she wanted him to

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<v Speaker 1>understand it. So Clive was landed at home with Julia Cloud,

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<v Speaker 1>her companion, who had not gone to church on account

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<v Speaker 1>of staying to nurse Cherry, who had taken a bad

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<v Speaker 1>cold in need of medicine. Alison hurried away to give

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<v Speaker 1>Jane her message, and there was nothing for Clive to

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<v Speaker 1>do but to go to bed and resolve never to

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<v Speaker 1>spend another Sunday in such boredom, for he couldn't see

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<v Speaker 1>hob nobbing with an old woman, as he called Julia

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<v Speaker 1>Cloud the way the others seemed entirely willing to do.

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<v Speaker 1>What was she anyway, but some poor relation, likely who

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<v Speaker 1>was acting as housekeeper. But at least, for once in

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<v Speaker 1>his life, Clive Terrence realized that there was such a

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<v Speaker 1>thing in the world as a live religion and a

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<v Speaker 1>few people who held to it and loved it and

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<v Speaker 1>enjoyed it. He couldn't understand it, but he had to

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<v Speaker 1>admit it, although he was convinced that behind it all

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<v Speaker 1>there must be some ulterior motive, or those people would

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<v Speaker 1>never bother themselves to that extent. But Leslie came home

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<v Speaker 1>from church with a heavy heart and crept up to

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<v Speaker 1>her room with bravely cheerful smiles to deceive Julia cloud

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<v Speaker 1>and then cried herself to sleep, while Julia Cloud wise eyed,

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<v Speaker 1>kept her own counsel and carried her perplexities to the

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<v Speaker 1>throne of God. End of Chapter twenty seven. Recording by

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<v Speaker 1>Terra Mendoza, Phoenix, Arizona, April two thousand eleven.