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"Well, he said: 'Tell her that it's quite true' Dashed if I knohat

he meant! And that he wouldn't worry you, but would obey you and not

write or see you I think that was all"

It was enough If the faintest spark of hope had been left to glow in

Nell's bosouished it

Her head dropped for a moment, then she looked up bravely

"It hat I expected, Dick It--was like him No, no; don't speak;

don't say any lad to see you They are all so kind to lad to hear that," said Dick; "because if they hadn't been I

should have insisted upon your going home But I suppose they really are

kind, and don't starve you, though you are so thin"

"It's the London air, or want of air," said Nell "And mamma, does

she"--she faltered wistfully--"miss me?"

"We all miss you--especially the butcher and the baker," replied Dick

diplomatically "And now I'm off And, Nell--oh, do mind my hat!--if you

know Drake's address, I should like to write to hie," said Dick "I wrote to the address in London to which I

posted the letters when he was ill, and it caone abroad Well, there, I won't say any ood to me,' as poor Joe says in the novel, you know,

Nell"