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 "No—was—gone," said Mr. Johns. "Why do you care?"

"Because he's given me a great deal of trouble by being in love with my Susie."

"Oh-ho!" said Mr. Johns. "So it's her, is it?"

Mrs. Rolles did not trouble to correct his grammar. "Yes, he's been hanging about for a good many years, but lately I haven't let him see her, and you know, Mr. Johns, young people forget each other beautifully if you don't allow them to meet—particularly if they are meeting some one else. Young Bevans came to see me the other day, and I got the clearest impression that he's sentimentally interested in one of his pupils. If I can keep Susie out of his way for a little longer, I believe I shall get rid of him entirely."

Mr. Johns gave a grunt, an entirely new kind of grunt—it was long and cooing, like the note of an organ.

"Interested in one of his pupils, you say?"

"Yes; he came to see me the other day—you know I can't help liking him, Mr. Johns, though I won't let Susie like him."

"How do you stop it?"

"Oh, there are ways, if you know how—with girls, at least. He came to see me the