THE SEMI-DETACHED HOUSE.
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CHAPTER XVII.
When Captain Hopkinson returned late from town, he found an argument raging between his wife and daughters—she declining to go to the dinner at Pleasance, and they declaring they would not go without her.
"I am glad you are come, papa," said Janet, "here is mamma setting up a will of her own, and talking such nonsense that if it were Charlie she would be ashamed of him. Will you be so good as to speak to her?"
"She is really getting beyond our management," added Rose, "and does not mind us even when we speak peremptorily to her."
"My dears," said Mrs. Hopkinson, her face radiant with delight, "you make me
