An American girl in London . good son Charleshad always been, and showed me several photographs of him atearlier stages, from the time he wore a sash and pinafore. Eventhen, I remember, he looked a serious person. After which I had another little chat with two of the MissesMafferton together, who explained what a devoted brother theyhad always had in Charlie. We are so glad youve been kindto him, they said, impulsively. Of course we havent seen himyet since our return, but his letters have told us that much. Itried in vain to rack my brain for occasions on which I had beenkind to Mr. Charles M
An American girl in London . good son Charleshad always been, and showed me several photographs of him atearlier stages, from the time he wore a sash and pinafore. Eventhen, I remember, he looked a serious person. After which I had another little chat with two of the MissesMafferton together, who explained what a devoted brother theyhad always had in Charlie. We are so glad youve been kindto him, they said, impulsively. Of course we havent seen himyet since our return, but his letters have told us that much. Itried in vain to rack my brain for occasions on which I had beenkind to Mr. Charles Mafferton, and longed for an attack of faint-ness or a severe headache. Indeed, I said, it was always your brother who was kind—to Lady Torquilin and to me. At which the young ladiessmiled consciously, and said something about that being perfectlynatural. Then, just as I was wondering whether I absolutelymust wait for Charlotte to arrive in a cab to take me home asLadv Torquilin had arranged, and as the third Miss Mafferton. — -»—* ,,„„ ^^ QUITE pale. 3i8 AN AMERICAN GIRL IN LONDON was telling me how noble but how uninteresting it was ofFrancis to take up extreme Ritualistic views and vow himself tocelibacy, the door-bell rang. 1 Theres Charlie now ! exclaimed the Misses Mafferton alltogether. I must really go ! I said precipitately. I—I promisedLady Torquilin to be home early—noting with despair by thegold clodk under glass on the mantel that it was only a quarterto ten— and the Ameiican mail goes out to-morrow—at least, Ithink it does—and—and Good-night, Mrs. Mafferton ! Good-night, Mr. Mafferton! I said it very rapidly, and although theywere all kind enough to meet my departure with protest, Ithink it was evident to them that for some reason or other Ireally must go. The young ladies exchanged glances of under-standing. I think their idea was that I dreaded the embarrass-ment of meeting Mr. Charles Mafferton before his family. Twoof them came upstairs w
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