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Bouton, John Bell

"Round the Block"

He ordered me home."
"Very sensible of the doctor. Another hour of this watching might have
killed my poor child."
"So I took a last look at my dear teacher--who was asleep--and kissed
her, and came right away through the rain."
"It was foolish to do that without an umbrella and overshoes, my child.
But, as you were always forgetful of yourself, your father will not be
forgetful of you, at any rate." The inventor glanced significantly at
Marcus. That glance, so full of distrust, entered his soul. He longed to
say something--if only a word of common civility--to the young girl;
but he felt that there was now an impassable barrier between them.
"But what is the matter, Pet?" exclaimed the father. She had dropped
into a chair, and her head fell on one side. He sprang to catch her. So
did Marcus. But the inventor reached her first, and seized her in his
arms, directing another of his speaking looks at Marcus.
Pet roused herself at the touch of her father's hands, sat erect, and
opened her large blue eyes. "I am so sleepy," she said.
"Of course you are, my blessed; and to bed you must go at once.


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