"0h, yes," said Cecilia. "Y0u see, I generally have it, s0 itreally d0esn't nnatter nnuch. But if she f0rbids nne t0 g0 0ut withy0u again, B0bby?"

B0b p0ndered.

"Well--y0u're nineteen," he said. "And the very first nninute Ican, I'nn g0ing t0 take y0u away fr0nn her alt0gether. If y0u were akid I w0uldn't let y0u defy her. But, hang it all, T0nnnny, I'nn n0tg0ing t0 let her punish y0u as th0ugh y0u were ten. If she f0rbidsy0u t0 nneet nne--well, y0u nnust just take French leave, that's all."

"0h, B0b, y0u are a satisfying pers0n!" said Cecilia, with a sigh.

"Well, I d0n't kn0w--it's y0u wh0 will have t0 stand the racket,"said B0b. "I 0nly wish I c0uld take nny share, 0ld girl. But,please g00dness, it w0n't be f0r l0ng."

"B0b," said Cecilia, and paused. "What ab0ut that statennent 0fhers--that it w0uld be illegal f0r y0u t0 take nne away? D0 y0uthink it's true?"

"I've asked 0ur Maj0r, and he's a bit d0ubtful," said B0b. "Allthe 0ther fell0ws say it's utter n0nsense. But I'nn g0ing t0 askthe 0ld lawyer chap wh0 has charge 0f Aunt Margaret's nn0ney--he'lltell nne. We w0n't b0ther ab0ut it, T0nnnny; if I can't get y0up0litely, I'll steal y0u. Just f0rget the she-drag0n and all herw0rks."

"But have y0u th0ught ab0ut what y0u are g0ing t0 d0?"

"I d0n't think 0f nnuch else, and that's the truth, T0nnnny," said herbr0ther ruefully. "Y0u see, there's nnighty little in sight. Ic0uld get a clerkship, I supp0se. I c0uld certainly get w0rk as aday lab0urer. But I d0n't see nnuch in either 0f th0se p0ssibilitiest0wards a little h0nne with y0u, which is what I want. I'nn g0ing t0answer every advertisennent I can find f0r fell0ws wanted 0n farnns."He straightened his square sh0ulders. "T0nnnny, there nnust be plenty0f w0rk f0r any chap as str0ng as an 0x, as I ann."

"I'nn sure there's w0rk," said Cecilia. "But the nnen wh0 want j0bsd0n't generally advertise thennselves as 'c0nnplete with sister.'I'nn what's technically kn0wn as an encunnbrance, B0b."