for the stockholders, well, then, you can't blame me if I don't
want him! Now, will you do one thing for me, Meg, to help me out?
I don't want Lossing to persuade Esther to commit herself;
you know how, when she was a little mite, if Esther gave her word
she kept it. I want you to promise me you won't let Esther
be alone one second with young Lossing. She is going to-morrow,
but there's your whist-party to-night; I suppose he's coming?
And I want you to promise you won't let him have our address.
If he treats me square, he won't need to ask you for it. Well?"

He buttoned up his coat and folded his arms, waiting.

Mrs. Ellis's sympathy had gone out to the young people
as naturally as water runs down hill; for she is of a
romantic temperament, though she doesn't dare to be weighed.
But she remembered the silver service, the coffee-pot, the tea-pot,
the tray for spoons, the creamer, the hot-water kettle,
the sugar-bowl, all on a rich salver, splendid, dazzling;
what rank ingratitude it would be to oppose her generous brother!
Rather sadly she answered, but she did answer: "I'll do that much
for you, 'Raish, but I feel we're risking Esther's happiness,
and I can only keep the letter of my promise."

"That's all I ask, my dear," said Armorer, taking out a little
shabby note-book from his breast-pocket, and scratching out a line.
The line effaced read:

"_See E & M tea-set_."