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He patted her shoulder “Buck up, ol’ girl We’ll think of so Bound to, you know”

“You don’t understand There isn’t any time at all Somehow this letter must have been delayed in the o I am only surprised that he hasn’t arrived before his letter Perhaps he fell ill—he is old”

“Two et has f

orgotten all about fetching you to Swindon Maybe even thought better of it Swindon of all places …” Scott frowned

She eyed hi “Do you think so? He is rather ancient, and et? That would be wonderful”

“There, you see, nothing to worry about,” Scott said

“Unless he was delayed by some business or other?”

“Adore you, irl You know that, but, well, while we are the best of good friends, I’m not sure we could make a match of it … however, as I have always said, I will stand by you, and to keep you safely out of Swindon, well, would you domy wife?”

Felicia’s eyes watered, and she flung herself at hied him close as he patted her back She pulled away and answered, “You big, silly love”

He gulped nervously “Does this mean you accept?”

She laughed and pulled away “You needn’t look so terrified No, sap-head, no, I shall spare you and decline your very obliging offer”

He sighed with undisguised relief but said, because he was ever a gentle, and so few married couples do Besides that … I should never have to lose you when you get married if you were to be married to me”

She laughed “No chance of losing me married or not There is et married”

He scoffed, “Never!” He sighed and tried again “It does answer”

“No, it does not We are friends, not lovers,” she returned on a sigh