Very gently Billy pushed her back on the pillow and laid a detaining
hand on her arm.
"No, dear. Now, please be sensible and listen to reason. You are my
guest. You did not know it, perhaps, for I'm afraid the invitation got a
little delayed. But you're to stay--oh, lots of weeks."
"I--stay here? Why, I can't--indeed, I can't," protested Marie.
"But that isn't a bit of a nice way to accept an invitation,"
disapproved Billy. "You should say, 'Thank you, I'd be delighted, I'm
sure, and I'll stay.'"
In spite of herself the little music teacher laughed, and in the laugh
her tense muscles relaxed.
"Miss Billy, Miss Billy, what is one to do with you? Surely you
know--you must know that I can't do what you ask!"
"I'm sure I don't see why not," argued Billy. "I'm merely giving you an
invitation and all you have to do is to accept it."
"But the invitation is only the kind way your heart has of covering
another of your many charities," objected Marie; "besides, I have to
teach. I have my living to earn."
"But you can't," demurred the other. "That's just the trouble. Don't
you see? The doctor said last night that you must not teach again this
winter."
"Not teach--again--this winter! No, no, he could not be so cruel as
that!"
"It wasn't cruel, dear; it was kind. You would be ill if you attempted
it.
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