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Chapter 3
Mydearwoman,lookathim!”
Shesmiledatmypretentiontohavediscoveredhischarm.“Iassureyou,miss,Idonothingelse!Whatwillyousay,then?”sheimmediatelyadded.
“Inanswertotheletter?”Ihadmadeupmymind.“Nothing.”
“Andtohisuncle?”
Iwasincisive.“Nothing.”
“Andtotheboyhimself?”
Iwaswonderful.“Nothing.”
Shegavewithherapronagreatwipetohermouth.“ThenI’llstandbyyou.We’llseeitout.”
“We’llseeitout!”Iardentlyechoed,givinghermyhandtomakeitavow.
Sheheldmethereamoment,thenwhiskedupherapronagainwithherdetachedhand.“Wouldyoumind,miss,ifIusedthefreedom—”
“Tokissme?No!”Itookthegoodcreatureinmyarmsand,afterwehadembracedlikesisters,feltstillmorefortifiedandindignant.
This,atallevents,wasforthetime:atimesofullthat,asIrecallthewayitwent,itremindsmeofalltheartInowneedtomakeitalittledistinct.WhatIlookbackatwithamazementisthesituationIaccepted.Ihadundertaken,withmycompanion,toseeitout,andIwasunderacharm,apparently,thatcouldsmoothawaytheextentandthefaranddifficultconnectionsofsuchaneffort.Iwasliftedaloftonagreatwaveofinfatuationandpity.Ifounditsimple,inmyignorance,myconfusion,andperhapsmyconceit,toassumethatIcoulddealwithaboywhoseeducationfortheworldwasallonthepointofbeginning.IamunableeventorememberatthisdaywhatproposalIframedfortheendofhisholidaysandtheresumptionofhisstudies.
