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194 Mrs Kane did not reply, The guests began to appear, hted to see Alan Lloyd a well,up at William for the first time in his life

’You too, Alan It was kind of you to cootten that the invitation cah to refuse one of thehed ’Can you spare a uest towards a quiet cohtly and start buying Lester’s bank stock whenever it co about five per cent of their stock by the time I’m twenty - one’

"It’s not that easy,’ said Alan ’Lester’s shares don’t come on the market all that often as they are all in private hands, but I’ll see what can be done What is going on in that mind of yours, William?’

’Well, my real ai down on the in a comer with Mr Lloyd and I haven’t seen you dance with one young lady yet What do you ianised this ball for?’

’Quite right,’ said Alan Lloyd, rising ’You come and sit doith mr, Mrs Cabot, and I’ll kick the boy out into the world We can rest, watch him dance, and listen to the ’Music? That’s notestion of randmother,’ said Willia’

’Then the time has come for

’Never,’ Alan Lloyd said gallantly, Williaue recollection of knowing, but he had to be re in a colad of the excuse to escape die dance floor He had not noticed the girl sitting next to Matthew until he was right on top of them When she looked up into Williaive way

To you know Abby Blount?’ asked Matthew casually, ’No,’ said Willia his tie

’This is your host, Mr Willia lady cast her eyes demurely doards as he took the seat on theother side of her Matthew had noted the look Williaave Abby and went off in search of some punch

’How is it I’ve lived in Boston all my life, and we!ve never meff William said

’We did meet once before On that occasion, you pushed me into the pond on the Common; ere both three at the time It’s takenme fourteen years to recover’