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XXVIII. The Prince Comes Back to the Enchanted Palace
WhenhehadgoneinsheshutittightlybehindhimandturnedtoconfrontCharlottatheFourth,whowasinthehall,all“nodsandbecksandwreathedsmiles.”
“Oh,MissShirley,ma’am,”shebreathed,“Ipeekedfromthekitchenwindow...andhe’sawfulhandsome...andjusttherightageforMissLavendar.Andoh,MissShirley,ma’am,doyouthinkitwouldbemuchharmtolistenatthedoor?”
“Itwouldbedreadful,Charlotta,”saidAnnefirmly,“sojustyoucomeawaywithmeoutofthereachoftemptation.”
“Ican’tdoanything,andit’sawfultohangroundjustwaiting,”sighedCharlotta.“Whatifhedon’tproposeafterall,MissShirley,ma’am?Youcanneverbesureofthemmen.Myoldersister,CharlottatheFirst,thoughtshewasengagedtooneonce.ButitturnedoutHEhadadifferentopinionandshesaysshe’llnevertrustoneofthemagain.AndIheardofanothercasewhereamanthoughthewantedonegirlawfulbadwhenitwasreallyhersisterhewantedallthetime.Whenamandon’tknowhisownmind,MissShirley,ma’am,how’sapoorwomangoingtobesureofit?”
“We’llgotothekitchenandcleanthesilverspoons,”saidAnne.“That’sataskwhichwon’trequiremuchthinkingfortunately...forICOULDN’Tthinktonight.Anditwillpassthetime.”
Itpassedanhour.Then,justasAnnelaiddownthelastshiningspoon,theyheardthefrontdoorshut.Bothsoughtcomfortfearfullyineachother’seyes.
“Oh,MissShirley,ma’am,”gaspedCharlotta,“ifhe’sgoingawaythisearlythere’snothingintoitandneverwillbe
