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Hardy, Thomas, 1840-1928

"The Woodlanders"

"Please go in and attend to
it," he said. "Do what you like. Now I leave. You will find
everything about the hut that is necessary."
"But, Giles--your supper," she exclaimed. "An out-house would do
for me--anything--till to-morrow at day-break!"
He signified a negative. "I tell you to go in--you may catch
agues out here in your delicate state. You can give me my supper
through the window, if you feel well enough. I'll wait a while."
He gently urged her to pass the door-way, and was relieved when he
saw her within the room sitting down. Without so much as crossing
the threshold himself, he closed the door upon her, and turned the
key in the lock. Tapping at the window, he signified that she
should open the casement, and when she had done this he handed in
the key to her.
"You are locked in," he said; "and your own mistress."
Even in her trouble she could not refrain from a faint smile at
his scrupulousness, as she took the door-key.
"Do you feel better?" he went on.


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