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A STRANGE, SAD COMEDY
35

"Well—er—no, I hardly think so. You know, in England, this is n't the hunting season—"

"Oh, no," struck in Miss Cornwell, perfectly at home in English customs, "their hunting season is just in time to break up the New York season."

Letty's face, which was very expressive, had unconsciously assumed a look of shocked surprise. Hunting a fox in August! For Letty knew nothing of the pursuit of the fierce and cunning aniseseed bag. Her lips almost framed the words, "How dreadful!"

Woodruff, without glancing at her, but taking in swiftly the speaking look of disgusted astonishment, framed with his lips something that sounded like "Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals."

A blush poured hotly into Letty's face. The rudeness of talking about her before her face angered her intensely, but did not for a moment disconcert her. There was a little pause. Miss Cornwell looked straight before her with an air of amused apprehension. Then Letty spoke in a clear, soft voice:

"You are mistaken," she said, looking Woodruff calmly in the face. "I do not be-