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Sparrows: the story of an unprotected girl by Horace W. C. (Horace Wykeham Can) Newte
page 207 of 766 (27%)
pleasure-worn man of the world. Mrs Hamilton, all this while, said
little; she left the entertaining to Mavis, who was more than equal
to the effort; it seemed to the joy-intoxicated girl as if she were
the bountiful hostess, Mrs Hamilton a chance guest at her table. The
appearance of strawberries at dessert (it was January) made a lull
in Mavis's enjoyment: the out-of-season fruit reminded her of the
misery which could be alleviated with the expenditure of its cost.
She was silent for a few moments, which caused Ellis to ask:

"I say, Windebank, what have you said to our friend?"

Mavis looked up quickly, to see a look of annoyance on Mrs
Hamilton's face.

"Williams, I should have said," corrected Ellis. "I muddled the two
names. What have you said to our friend that she should be so quiet
all at once?"

"Give it up," replied Williams. "Perhaps she's offended at our
childishness."

The men talked. Mrs Hamilton, with something of an effort, joined in
the conversation. Mavis was silent; she wondered how Mr Ellis came
to address Mr Williams as "Windebank," which was also the name of
the friend of the far-away days when her father was alive. She
reflected how Archie Windebank would be now twenty-eight, an age
that might well apply to Mr Williams. Associated with these thoughts
was an uneasy feeling, which had been once or twice in her mind,
that the two men at table were far too distinguished-looking to bear
such commonplace names as Ellis and Williams. The others rallied her
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