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ALICE LAUDER.

“Thank heaven for that! I shall stay on. A little boating, a little fishing, a good deal of fiddling, and as much loafing in the open air as possible. That will just suit me. Let me help you down, or will you ride up to the door?”

Toto was standing at the gate with his short legs well apart, and his hands in his pockets, in the favourite attitude of the big boy next door.

“Well, Toto, have you been to your Latin lesson?” said Alice, dismounting.

“Yes, I have, and muck it is,” replied Toto, with a realistic imitation of the big boy’s favourite expression. “It’s jolly slow all by myself, and Dulcie won’t come and play with me; she only plays with her jolly dolls. Who’s that man?”

“That man is going to play marbles with you some day soon, and lick you into a cocked hat,” said Campbell, riding away with his old delightful air of camaraderie, perfected by long practice amongst the viceregal courts and the pallid beauties of India’s coral strand.

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