." he managed to smile, but didn't correct himself.

.

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"has gone in a trading schooner on a short tour of the islands, to the westward." This communication was received in profound silence.
Renouard forgot himself in the thought: "It's done!" But the sight of the string of boys marching up to the house with suit-cases and dressing-bags rescued him from that appalling abstraction.
"All I can do is to beg you to make yourselves at home.

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