Page:George Weston--The apple-tree girl.djvu/109

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THE APPLE TREE GIRL

and went inside to find Mr. Phair, the resident. Although Charlotte had never seen him, she had read of him often; and presently, when the sound of two voices came through an open window, one of them belonging to Mr. Ogilvie, it didn't require much effort to deduce that the other belonged to Mr. Phair.

"I tell ye, sir," said Mr. Ogilvie, "I've coached her till she's a wonder. The first time around I played easy, being unsuspicious, and she beat me. The second time I played as canny as I could, but she beat me just the same!"

"Good for the home talent!" laughed Mr. Phair. "Yes, I'd like to meet this prodigy of yours."

They found Charlotte on a corner of the veranda, looking out over the Sound. "You live near New London?" Mr. Phair asked her, when they had chatted for a time.

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