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           Iwillbecharmandinchantedindeedtopresentmycomplimentsonnext

           Thursdayevening.

           Faithfully,

           AmoryBlaine.

           OnThursday,therefore,hewalkedpensivelyalongtheslippery,shovel-scrapedsidewalks,andcameinsightofMyra’shouse,onthehalf-hourafterfive,alatenesswhichhefanciedhismotherwouldhavefavored.Hewaitedonthedoor-stepwithhiseyesnonchalantlyhalf-closed,andplannedhisentrancewithprecision.Hewouldcrossthefloor,nottoohastily,toMrs.St.Claire,andsaywithexactlythecorrectmodulation:

           "MydearMrs.St.Claire,I’mfrightfullysorrytobelate,butmymaid"—hepausedthereandrealizedhewouldbequoting—"butmyuncleandIhadtoseeafella—Yes,I’vemetyourenchantingdaughteratdancing-school."

           Thenhewouldshakehands,usingthatslight,half-foreignbow,withallthestarchylittlefemales,andnodtothefellaswhowouldbestanding’round,paralyzedintorigidgroupsformutualprotection.

           Abutler(oneofthethreeinMinneapolis)swungopenthedoor.Amorysteppedinsideanddivestedhimselfofcapandcoat.Hewasmildlysurprisednottoheartheshrillsquawkofconversationfromthenextroom,andhedecideditmustbequiteformal.Heapprovedofthat—asheapprovedofthebutler.

           "MissMyra,"hesaid.

           Tohissurprisethebutlergrinnedhorribly.

           "Oh,yeah,"hedeclared,"she’shere."Hewasunawarethathisfailuretobecockneywasruininghisstanding.Amoryconsideredhimcoldly.