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148 partnership without consulting me, that's all. I don't want to interfere with your plays and pleasures; but you will consult me about business matters, won't you?"

Of course we said we should be delighted, but then Alice, who was sitting on his knee, said, "We didn't like to bother you."

Father said, "I haven't much time to be with you, for my business takes most of my time. It is an anxious business&mdash;but I can't bear to think of your being left all alone like this."

He looked so sad we all said we liked being alone. And then he looked sadder than ever.

Then Alice said, "We don't mean that exactly, Father. It is rather lonely sometimes, since Mother died."

Then we were all quiet a little while.

Father stayed with us till we went to bed, and when he said good-night he looked quite cheerful. So we told him so, and he said&mdash;

"Well, the fact is, that letter took a weight off my mind."

I can't think what he meant&mdash;but I am sure the G. B. would be pleased if he could know he had taken a weight off somebody's mind. He is that sort of man, I think.