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"No," he admitted

"Randall," I said, stopping on the sidewalk, "did he have an English accent? He ht not even be an American!"

"Well, he had sort of an English accent I mean it was very correct, resonant, but anyone who has lived here as long as he has would have picked up some British influences in his speech, don't you think?" he asked

"I don't knoould I know? Let's just turn around," I said

`Turn around? We've come this far, Rain That's silly Cos , a few minutes later

We stood across the street froray stone house that had a short picket fence Thecasing and the door were all painted a dull white It looked old, but quaint The street itself was very quiet, and I was sure that if we stood for a while where ere, ould attract some attention

"Now that I' at the house, I really feel silly," I said "I have no idea what to do"

"Why don't I just go to the door, ring the bell and pretend I'ested

"No," I said taking a step back I felt like just turning and running away

"Why not? If he coood look at hiize and that will be that," he said

"I don't think so," I said, but not &oily enough

"I' it," he said and before I could stop him, he crossed the street

"Randall" I called He didn't turn back until he went through the sate and approached the door He beckoned for me to come closer, but I couldn't move I shookthe bell He looked back at me, smiled and waited My heart seemed to shrink inside my chest when the door opened Despite my fears, I couldn't help but be interested

A dark-haired woray pullover stood in the doorway She didn't look much older than her ht and down to her shoulders Her face was angular and very interesting even from where I stood As Randall spoke,

a young girl came up beside the woman She wore a dark blue skirt and white blouse and had short, curly hair The girl wasn't ht, but she listened attentively, her pretty face full of interest in what Randall was saying I couldn't io on and on like that