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Outpost by Jane G. (Jane Goodwin) Austin
page 80 of 341 (23%)
he did not speak to Teddy, except to give him a few directions, and
bid him a kind good-by. The paper and picture he found lying upon
his desk, and hastily put in his pocket without remark or question.

For the first time in his life, Teddy avoided meeting his master's
eye, but watched him furtively over the top of his book, raising it
so as to screen his face whenever Mr. Burroughs looked his way, and
trembling whenever he spoke to him; and, for the first time in his
life, he secretly rejoiced at seeing him leave the office, knowing
that he was to be gone for some time.

The long day was over at last; and, so soon as the hour for closing
the office had begun to strike, Teddy locked the door, sprang down
stairs, and ran like a deer towards home, feeling as if in some
manner the little sister was about to be taken away from him, and he
must hasten to prevent it.

At the foot of the stairs, however, he checked himself, creeping up
as silently and cautiously as possible, and stopping at the head to
listen for the clear voice, frightfully clear and shrill, of the
delirious child, which usually met him there. No sound was to be
heard except the deep voice of the Italian organ-grinder in the room
below, talking to himself or his monkey as he prepared supper; and
Teddy, creeping along the entry to his mother's door, softly opened
it, and went in.

At one side of the bed stood Mrs. Ginniss; at the other, Dr.
Wentworth: but Teddy saw only the little waxen face upon the pillow
between them,--the little face so strange and lovely now; for all the
fever flush had passed away, the babbling lips were folded white and
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