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"You're sure you won't mind if she doesn't?" said Paul anxiously

"Perfectly sure, dear heart"

"Then I won't worry," said Paul, with a long breath of relief, "especially as I really think Mary Joe will listen to reason She's not a naturally unreasonable person, but she has learned by experience that it doesn't do to disobey Grandma's orders Grandma is an excellent woman but people must do as she tells the because I reat effort but I succeeded Grandma says she thinks she'll make a man of me yet But, teacher, I want to ask you a very important question You will answer it truthfully, won't you?"

"I'll try," pro in my upper story?" asked Paul, as if his very existence depended on her reply

"Goodness, no, Paul," exclaimed Anne in amazement "Certainly you're not What put such an idea into your head?"

"Mary Joebut she didn't know I heard her Mrs Peter Sloane's hired girl, Veronica, ca in the kitchen as I was going through the hall I heard Mary Joe say, 'Dat Paul, he is de queeres' leetle boy He talks dat queer I tink dere's soht for ever so long, thinking of it, and wondering if Mary Joe was right I couldn't bear to ask Grandma about it solad you think I'ht in norant girl, and you are never to worry about anything she says," said Anne indignantly, secretly resolving to give Mrs Irving a discreet hint as to the advisability of restraining Mary Joe's tongue

"Well, that's a weight off my mind," said Paul "I'm perfectly happy now, teacher, thanks to you It wouldn't be nice to have so in your upper story, would it, teacher? I suppose the reason Mary Joe is soerous practice," admitted Anne, out of the depths of her own experience

"Well, by and by I'll tell you the thoughts I told Mary Joe and you can see for yourself if there's anything queer in theet dark That is the tis, and when nobody else is handy I just HAVE to tell Mary Joe But after this I won't, if itin my upper story I'll just ache and bear it"