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Hope, Anthony, 1863-1933

"The Secret of the Tower"

It's my instinct to be against the proper thing,
the regular thing, the thing that deals hardly with an individual in the
name of some highly nebulous general principle."
"Like discipline?" she put in, with a reminiscence of
Major-General Punnit.
He nodded. "Yes, that's one case of it. And then, the situation amused
me. I think that had more to do with it than anything else at first. It
amused me to play up to his delusions. I suggested the shawl as useful on
our walks--and thereby got him to take wholesome exercise; that ought to
appeal to you, Doctor! I got him the combination knife-and-fork; that
made him enjoy his meals--also good for him, Doctor! But I didn't do
these things because they were good for him, but because they amused me.
They never amused Hooper, he's a dull, surly, and--I'm inclined to
believe--treacherous dog."
"Who is he?"
"Sacked from the Army--sent to quod. Just a jail-bird whom I've kept
loose. But the things did amuse me, and it was that at first. But
then--" he paused.
Looking at him again, Mary saw a whimsical tenderness expressed in his
eyes and smile.


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