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 said Miss Comfort, "as long as it had a roof and I could go on with my work. But I'm afraid I couldn't even pay the rent for a shed, Mr. Laurie. Now I ain't going to let you talk a minute longer about me. Why, I'm just ashamed of myself!" She arose quickly and crossed to the door with short, firm steps. "Will you excuse me a minute?" she asked.

When she had gone the four visitors looked at each other silently. Finally, "Rotten shame, I call it," muttered Laurie. Ned nodded agreement. Polly, whose gaze was fixed on Laurie expectantly, said suddenly: "Laurie, if you have anything in mind I think you'd ought to tell her. It might make her feel more comfortable."

"Anything in mind?" echoed Laurie. "I haven't. At least, only—"

Miss Comfort's return with a dish of cake stopped him.

A little later they were outside again, walking silently away from the little white house with the brown shutters. When they were at last out of sight of the front windows Polly turned eagerly toward Laurie.

"What were you going to say?" she demanded.