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"Yes--you told me so once before, I believe"

"Twice, Peter; and each tiloomy!

Now you, on the other hand," she continued, "have known very feomen?"

"And my life has been calm and unruffled in consequence!"

"You had your books, Peter, and your horseshoes"

"My books and horseshoes, yes"

"And were content?"

"Quite content"

"Until, one day--a woman--came to you"

"Until, one day--I met a woman"

"And then--?"

"And then--I asked her towhich Charan to pleat a fold in the

tablecloth

"That was rather--unwise of you, wasn't it?" said she at last

"Hoise?"

"Because--she ht--have taken you at your word, Peter"

"Do you mean that--that you won't, Charmian?"

"Oh dear, no! I have arrived at no decision yet how could I?

You ive ard it critically, with her head on one side "To

be sure," said she, with a little nod, "to be sure, you need some

one to--to look after you--that is very evident!"