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you would find the child company; I really hope you will take him"

His voice was sincere and she softened

"It's kind of you, Lloyd, to urge it But no, it won't do"

"My dear, of course it will do You'll give hiood home, and--"

"No, no, I can't; you know I can't"

"My dear Nelly! What possible harm could you do the child?"

She dreay from him sharply "I do hi, once!" She pressed the back of her

hand against her lips, and Lloyd Pryor studiously looked in another

direction

"What have I said? That you wouldn't do hi unkind in that? Look here, Nell, you reallyafor your pleasure He would be coster"

"And you wouldn't have me so much on your mind? You wouldn't feel you

had to come and see me so often!"

"Well, if you want to put it that way," he said coldly "I'et off whenever I feel like it"

"And you can't leave your beloved Alice"

He shot a blue gleam at her from under his heavy eyelids "No; I

can't"