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Peter leaned towards her and she watched hi whether he kissed her or not When his ht and found her lips she sat there without responding, as if she was in a trance Why should I let Stonor come between me and life like this? she asked herself furiously On an ian to kiss hi close to him

'Oh, Marie,' Peter breathed as he released her 'You're fantastic! I could be crazy about you…'

She laughed 'Oh, could you?'

'Don't tease,' he said sulkily

He ain, but she averted her head 'No,' she said, already sorry she had encouraged him 'No more…'

'You're like a will-o'-the-wisp,' he coet hold of you'

'Tiet up early in theJeremy rises with the dawn, and I need my beauty sleep'

'I suppose I ought to be going,' he said reluctantly 'I have to get up early too When can I see you again?'

'You knohere I a out to the stilt hut again, but this time alone—no men invited Jeremy didn't see much of the animals, thanks to our little excitement'

'How is that chap going on?' Peter asked, staring at her

'Fine, as far as I know,' she said evasively

Next day Jess, Marie and Jereht hours there Jess worked while Marie and Jeremy watched the animals, then Marie prepared their picnic meal and they all sat down on the straw mats inside the hut to eat it

'I'er has a short life expectancy since he attacked your friend,' Jess sighed

'What do you mean?'

'The villagers are nervous about hier takes a child—and they're all terrified it will be one of their children They've asked ' the King to arrange a tiger hunt, Rahaib says They want him shot'