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 "Then it's like your manners," said Pollyooly, exercising the somewhat dangerous gift of retort she had acquired during her two years' residence in Alsatia.

"Now last holidays you'd never have said a thing like that. You weren't a bit cheeky," said Ronald; and he looked at her with the disquieting, puzzled air.

"Cheeky yourself," said Pollyoofy with some heat.

"I think you've changed tremendously," said Ronald. "Don't you think she's changed, Miss Marlow?"

"I think her intelligence is improving," said Miss Marlow.

"I don't think it's only that," said Ronald doubtfully. "She looks different. Her skin is clearer and her eyes are bluer."

"We all change," said Miss Marlow sapiently.

Pollyooly said nothing.

She grew more and more alive to her danger, and she found him more and more difficult to avoid. The fancy took him, in default of other companionship, to spend more and more of his time with her;