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 and by she spoke, sort of slow and determined. "Well, Frederick, I don't know," she said; "and I can't help whether he likes it or not. That child's mother was my very best friend, and her daughter isn't going to be sent to any boarding-school as long as I have a home. That is, unless you put your foot down against it."

"Oh, I haven't anything against it," said Dad. "Do as you choose, I don't care; she won't bother me; and if Chester doesn't treat her right, just let me know and I 'I'll settle with him."

Mother sort of sighed, and I heard Dad stamping on his shoes. Then Mother spoke again. "You understand, don't you, Frederick, that she is to stay permanently? She isn't to come here until April; but after that, she is to remain until she is grown up; and she's only thirteen now, just Chester's age."

"Yes, I understand," said Dad. "Fix it any way you choose only you 'I'll have to manage her;—I've got my hands full with Chester. And, by the way, when you get ready to tell him, you would better chloroform him and tie him up, before you break the news," and I heard Dad laugh and start for the door.