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 to outsiders,” she said in a loud dignified tone, glancing at the open door.

The belle of Bradley’s closed the portal, favouring her landlady with a smile which met with no response.

“A very young couple, I think you said, ma’am,” insinuated Mr. Burns.

“Well, yes,” said the widow, sinking her voice and looking mysterious, “Too young by half.”

There was a tense silence. The young ladies looked demure and pricked up their ears.

“The little boy would be about six or seven, I should say?” remarked Mr. Burns.

“She says five an’ he says seven,” answered the landlady grimly.

Another silence.

“I don’t deny it puzzles me,” said the landlady, shaking her head. “Two young things from a town in Ontario, so they say, and a Rh