Page:The Semi-detached House.djvu/270

 Rachel did not choose that Charlie should sit under the shadow of Willis' withered gourd, and she did not think that the gourd had any right to wither with such a Charlie to shine on it.

"Miss Monteneros," he began, "I hope you will allow me to thank you for the advice you have given me, and I beg to assure you—"

"Oh!" said Rachel, "if I have not affronted you, I am more than satisfied; and now for my daisy-chain. Papa must not interrupt us, must he, Charlie? we are decided on that point."

"Twite detided," said Charlie with great energy, "papa, please go."

"Are you not going to do what Charlie tells you?" said Rachel, smiling, finding after a time that Willis was still standing by them.

"I am not going," he said, rather moodily. "Miss Montencros," he added after a pause, "you seem to take great interest in my little boy."