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"It's not improbable," he said, in his ironical way "I wish I were

seven years old, with a sht have sohed with the unconscious heartlessness of the wo at loves her better than life

itself

"Oh, I hope you will et on with your work I'm afraid Dick--and I, too!--have often

interrupted you and interfered with your co You must set at the

cantata while we are away, and have it finished for us to hear e

come back And, Mr Falconer, you will take care of yourself, won't you?

You are so careless, you know--about going out in the rain and at night

without an uht"

"Did you?" he said "I hope I didn't keep you awake! I kept my head

under the bedclothes as h I

don't think it matters very much"

Nell looked up at him, startled and rather shocked

"Why do you say that?" she said reproachfully "Do you think that

Dick--and I--wouldn't be sorry if you were ill?"

"Yes," he said, sravely, "you would be sorry So you would be if