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 *tance—annoys you is sufficient. I will retire at once.'"

"Well?" she asked, as he finished. He seated himself again on the hummock.

"That is what I ought to say," he answered, calmly. "What I do say is this: let us compromise. I will retire to the next available seat, which appears to be some ten feet farther up the bank,—and, since it is in shade, must be very damp,—or I will remain where I am and half turn my back to you. You see, I shouldn't like to be guilty of the impropriety of turning my back entirely on a lady."

"But I'd know you were there just the same," she objected, laughingly. Her laughter was so infrequent that Miles felt flushed with victory whenever he summoned it.

"Then I will go farther away," he