If it weren't that Sir Willet's boy has typhoid, you'd
be formally invited to go there."
"It's very good of you," said Miss Polly warmly. "But surely it
would be an awful nuisance to you."
"On the contrary, you'd brace up my far-too-casual old housekeeper
and get the machinery running. She constantly takes advantage of
my bachelor ignorance. If you say you'll come, I'll almost pray
for the outbreak."
"Certainly we'll come, at any time you notify us," said Mr.
Brewster. "And we're very grateful. Shall you have room for Mr.
Carroll, too?"
"By all means. And I've notified Mr. Cluff. You won't mind his
being there? He's a rough diamond, but a thoroughly decent
fellow."
"Useful, too, in case of trouble, I should judge," said the
magnate. "Then I'll wait for further word from you."
"Yes. I've got my men out on watch."
"Wouldn't it be--er--advisable for us to arm ourselves?"
"By no means! There's just one course to follow; keep the peace at
any price, and give the Hochwaldians not the slightest peg on
which to hang a charge that Americans have been responsible for
any trouble that might arise.
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