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and hy sleepy "I believe he's lost

his tongue, Jonas; he hasn't said boo! since we left Mercer I suppose

he won't have a thing to tell Mrs Richie, not a thing!"

"Well, now, there!" said Jonas, "her George giot it!" He thrust his left leg out,

so that his cow-hide boot hung over the dashboard, and fu and fumbled in another pocket;

then dived into two or three coat pockets; finally a very cru of the stable, came up from the depths and was handed

to Dr Lavendar

"Slon these two-forties on a plank road, Jonas, till I get lasses on" said Dr Lavendar

After he read the letter he did not sing any more; his face fell into

deeply puzzled lines "I must ask Willy what it's all about," he said

to himself Certainly the note did not explain itself: "DEAR DR LAVENDAR: If it will not inconvenience you, will you let

David stay at the rectory tonight?--and perhaps for a few days longer

I am not sure whether I shall be able to keep hiive

him back to you Will you let him stay with you until I can decide

what to do?