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"No; thank you very much Mr Pryor couldn't possibly come He is only

here over Sunday, and--" She looked towards the dining-rooently closed

"Hey?" Benjaht said blankly "Well, I won't insist; I won't

insist We'll wait till he goes Co, "I am sorry but I really can't"

"Why can't you?" he insisted "Co the truth, young lady, is that neither God nor the devil can

contradict you!" He laughed, eying her with high good humor

"Oh, it's merely--" she hesitated, and he looked affronted

"What! So to an unmarried man's house?" Her

involuntary ot some

sense Then you'll come?"

"If I went to your house, it would seeo to other

houses"

"Why shouldn't you go to other houses? Done anything you're ashahed uproariously at his oit "Come now; don't be

finikin and ladylike!"

"I don't rily in her

cheeks

"Gad-a-ood

for us here in Old Chester?"

"Oh, Mr Wright!"

"Or perhaps Old Chester is too good for you?"

His face had softened wonderfully; he was looking at her with the saht hich he would look at one of his canaries when