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"What do you know about cigars?"

"Not much, but my father smokes Havanas I

can get some for you," he added, his attempt to win

favor blatantly obvious

"I' my own," Daddy

replied sternly

"Are you here to visit Belinda or jabber with

my father?" I asked them

Quin poked Peter with his elbow and the three

followed me out of the study and to the stairway "Normally, my parents don't approve of my

sister having male visitors in her room," I said as I led

theive him

the satisfaction of showing I had heard

I paused outside Belinda's bedroom door and

turned as the three gathered anxiously around me