He spoke with a laboured
composure, a laboured kindness even; but a child could see that his mind
was made up.
"I beg your pardon, Innes; I don't want to be disagreeable, but let us
understand one another from the beginning. When I want your company,
I'll let you know."
"O!" cries Frank, "you don't want my company, don't you?"
"Apparently not just now," replied Archie. "I even indicated to you
when I did, if you'll remember - and that was at dinner. If we two
fellows are to live together pleasantly - and I see no reason why we
should not - it can only be by respecting each other's privacy. If we
begin intruding - "
"O, come! I'll take this at no man's hands. Is this the way you treat
a guest and an old friend?" cried Innes.
"Just go home and think over what I said by yourself," continued Archie,
"whether it's reasonable, or whether it's really offensive or not; and
let's meet at dinner as though nothing had happened, I'll put it this
way, if you like - that I know my own character, that I'm looking
forward (with great pleasure, I assure you) to a long visit from you,
and that I'm taking precautions at the first.
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