Page:Watts Mumford--Whitewash.djvu/186

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WHITEWASH

President and the World's Fair. Yes, you might just as well settle back and listen, for I'm going to tell you the whole story. This is the fourth time in two days—Mrs. D., the French consul, Philippa Ford, and now you."

"Why Miss Ford?" hastily inquired Morton.

"Because she was mixed up in it, too. I'm not shouting this about generally. I told Mrs. Durham because the thing struck me all of a heap, and I had to get it out or die. I told the French consul because I had to shift the responsibility. I told Philippa because I thought she ought to know, and I tell you because you are a sort of twin, and because I want your help. Bob is at college, and, besides, he's too much of a boy to be of any use."

"Don't forget to eat," Morton observed, kindly; "nothing like nourishment when you have to act and think."

Victoria obediently devoured what was put before her as she went over the familiar story. She was too engrossed to notice that her unvarnished opinion of Philippa's character for veracity and honor wrought a sudden and subtle change

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