"
He laughed. "Well, you've given me a pretty straight one anyway. Have you
got a home anywhere--any home people?"
"None that count," said Juliet.
"Been more or less of a looker-on all your life, eh?" he suggested.
"More or less," smiled Juliet.
He held out his hand to her abruptly. "Look here! You're coming,
aren't you?"
"I don't know," said Juliet.
"Well, make up your mind quick!" He held her hand, looking at her.
"What's the objection? Tell me?"
She freed her hand gently but with decision. "I can't tell you entirely.
You must let me think. For one thing, I want more freedom of action than
I should have as an inmate of your house. I want to come and go as I
like. I've never really done that before, and I'm just beginning to
enjoy it."
"That's a selfish reason," said the squire, with a sudden boyish
grin at her.
She coloured slightly. "No, it isn't--or not wholly."
"All right, it isn't. I unsay it. But that reason won't exist as far as
you are concerned. You will come and go exactly as you like always. No
one will question you."
"You're very kind," said Juliet.
He bowed to her ceremoniously. "That's the first really nice thing you
have said to me.
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