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"That's good," he said, "because before we go back I was thinking so around by way of Texas"

Florence looked at hi It see; she was not sure; but his conversation was a little peculiar, though not in the least sinister Indeed she was able to make out that he had more the air of an accomplice than of a prosecutor or a detective Nevertheless, she was convinced that far, far the best course for her to pursue, during the next few days, would be one of steadfast reserve And such a course was congenial to her h she was sure her recent conduct, if viewed sympathetically, would be found at least Christian The trouble was that probably it would not be viewed sympathetically No one would understand how carefully and tactfully she had prepared the items of the Oriole to lead suavely up to the news of Aunt Julia's engagement and break it to Noble Dill in a manner that would save his reason

Therefore, on account of this probable lack of comprehension on the part of the faood course to folloould be to clai for herself, but to allow Herbert and Henry to re the Oriole This involved a disappointment, it is true; nevertheless, she decided to bear it

She had looked forward to surprising "the fahtfully As they fluttered in exclamation about her, she had expected to say, "Oh, the poeo and I' a couple new ones now--but I did take quite a lot o' time and trouble with the rest of the paper, because I had to write every single word of it, or else let Henry and Herbert try to, and 'course they'd just of ruined it Oh, it isn't so uess; it just sort of cos that way"

Thirteen atterown person in sight, with the possible exception of Great-Uncle Joseph, goes into wholly unanticipated fits of horror Cause and effect have no honest relation: Fate operates without justice or even rational sequence; life and the universe appear to be governed, not in order and with syste sinister at any moment without reason

And while Florence, thus a pessi drive, relatives of hers were indeed going into fits; at least, so Florence would have described their gestures and incoherences of coht into such a fitful scene did the luckless Herbert hen urged ho Henry Rooter had strongly advised hi the house