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"
"A what?" asked Stella.
"A 'rent rag.'"
"Who tore it?" asked Stella innocently.
At this the boys laughed loud and long, then apologized when they saw
Stella's embarrassment.
"It ain't tore yet," said Bud, "but it's lierble ter be before ther rosy
dawn."
"What are you talking about?" said Stella impatiently. "I never saw such
provoking boys. You say such strange things, then cackle over it as
though there was a joke in it, which nobody seems to see except
yourself."
"A 'rent rag' is a--'rent rag,'" said Kit, trying to explain.
"That sounds as sensible as the conundrum, 'Why is a hen?'" said Stella.
"Must I ask the question and get caught? All right, here goes. What is a
'rent rag'? Now, don't tell me, some one, that it is a rag that has been
torn, for I exploded that one myself."
"A 'rent rag,'" said Bud slowly and carefully, "is a rag for rent.
A--a--er--well, it's a--"
"Tell me, Ted," said the girl, turning to the leader of the outfit, who
was leaning back in his chair smiling at the ridiculous conversation.


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