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 Mrs. Peyton was silent, and the girl continued after a pause: &quot;I suppose now it will be almost impossible for him to finish his drawings in time. It's a pity he had n't worked out the whole scheme a little sooner. Then the details would have come of themselves.&quot;

Mrs. Peyton felt a contempt strangely mingled with exultation. If only the girl would talk in that way to Dick!

&quot;He has hardly had time to think of himself lately,&quot; she said, trying to keep the coldness out of her voice.

&quot;No, of course not,&quot; Miss Verney assented; &quot;but is n't that all the more reason for his friends to think of him? It was very dear of him to give up everything to nurse Mr. Darrow—but, after all, if a man is going to get on in his career there are times when he must think first of himself.&quot;

Mrs. Peyton paused, trying to choose her words with deliberation. It was quite