I'm told he came across Bean when he was
ferreting about the other day, and that Bean gave him quite as
good as he brought."
"I say he's a spy," said Ribbs the butcher from his seat on the
sofa. "I hates a spy."
Soon after that Mr. Masters left the room and Larry Twentyman
followed him. There was something almost ridiculous in the way the
young man would follow the attorney about on these Saturday
evenings,--as though he could make love to the girl by talking to
the father. But on this occasion he had something special to say.
"So Mary's going to Cheltenham, Mr. Masters."
"Yes, she is. You don't see any objection to that, I hope."
"Not in the least, Mr. Masters. I wish she might go anywhere to
enjoy herself. And from all I've heard Lady Ushant is a very good
sort of lady."
"A very good sort of lady. She won't do Mary any harm, Twentyman."
"I don't suppose she will. But there's one thing I should like to
know. Why shouldn't she tell me before she goes that she'll have
me?"
"I wish she would with all my heart."
"And Mrs. Masters is all on my side."
"Quite so."
"And the girls have always been my friends."
"I think we are all your friends, Twentyman. I'm sure Mary is. But
that isn't marrying; is it?"
"If you would speak to her, Mr. Masters."
"What would you have me say? I couldn't bid my girl to have one man
or another.
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