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heathens … some of them； he was afraid； were downright Dissenters。
Then； seeing Miss Matty draw near； he hastily changed the conversation；
and after a little while； turning to me； he said； 〃Don't be shocked； prim
little Mary； at all my wonderful stories。 I consider Mrs Jamieson fair
game； and besides I am bent on propitiating her； and the first step
towards it is keeping her well awake。 I bribed her here by asking her to
let me have her name as patroness for my poor conjuror this evening；
and I don't want to give her time enough to get up her rancour against
the Hogginses； who are just coming in。 I want everybody to be friends；
for it harasses Matty so much to hear of these quarrels。 I shall go at it
again by…and…by； so you need not look shocked。 I intend to enter the
Assembly Room to…night with Mrs Jamieson on one side； and my lady；
Mrs Hoggins； on the other。 You see if I don't。〃
Somehow or another he did； and fairly got them into conversation
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Cranford
together。 Major and Mrs Gordon helped at the good work with their
perfect ignorance of any existing coolness between any of the
inhabitants of Cranford。
Ever since that day there has been the old friendly sociability in
Cranford society； which I am thankful for； because of my dear Miss
Matty's love of peace and kindliness。 We all love Miss Matty； and I
somehow think we are all of us better when she is near us。
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