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Rh been kind to me. Yes, you have," he insisted quickly: "most people find me too crotchety to bother with. You 've both—been strongly in my thoughts of late. I 've grown very fond of that child." He gave a quiet laugh. "Yes, captain, if I were young and a bachelor, it's probable I'd have tried to rob you of her by now. At least," he added soberly, "I think I desire her happiness almost as much as you. Almost, captain.— Do you know, she's a rarity."

Captain Christy appeared doubtful of this term.

"She's a good nice girl," he amended heartily.

"By Jove she is!" agreed the other. "But I meant—another aspect." He twisted the point of his gray beard, then fluttered the dead leaves with his cane, as though they hid the right words for his purpose. "She's that, and more— We 've all three talked together a good bit this summer, and you remember I gave her a few lessons— No, no! a pleasure, I can tell you!— It's made me think about her future. Now this town: I'm