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 108  dinner this very minute, I shall have to go hungry for the next five weeks."

"Oh!" cried Bettie, in dismay, "why?"

"Because I'm going to Washington to-night by the six o'clock train and I shall be gone a whole month—perhaps longer."

"Oh dear," cried Bettie, "we just couldn't have you, to-night. We're papering the dining-room and besides we haven't a single thing to eat but some stale cake that Mrs. Pike gave us."

"I strongly suspect," said Mr. Black, smiling over Bettie's head, at Mr. Blossom, "that you don't really want me to dinner."

"Oh, we do, we do," assured Bettie, earnestly, "but we just can't have company to-night. If you'll just let us know exactly when you're coming home, you'll find a beautiful dinner ready for you."

"All right," said Mr. Black, "I'll telegraph. I'll say: 'My dear Miss Bettykins, of Dandelion Cottage: It will give me great pleasure to dine with you