I daresay I 'd have gone to Europe before if the idea had occurred to me . We shall be away for two years , perhaps three . We sail in June and we shall send you the key , and leave all in order for you to take possession when you choose . We shall pack away a few things we prize especially , but all the rest will be left . '' `` Will you leave the china dogs ? '' asked Anne timidly . `` Would you like me to ? '' `` Oh , indeed , yes . They are delightful . '' A pleased expression came into Miss Patty 's face . `` I think a great deal of those dogs , '' she said proudly . `` They are over a hundred years old , and they have sat on either side of this fireplace ever since my brother Aaron brought them from London fifty years ago . Spofford Avenue was called after my brother Aaron . '' `` A fine man he was , '' said Miss Maria , speaking for the first time . `` Ah , you do n't see the like of him nowadays . '' `` He was a good uncle to you , Maria , '' said Miss Patty , with evident emotion . `` You do well to remember him . '' `` I shall always remember him , '' said Miss Maria solemnly . `` I can see him , this minute , standing there before that fire , with his hands under his coat-tails , beaming on us . '' Miss Maria took out her handkerchief and wiped her eyes ; but Miss Patty came resolutely back from the regions of sentiment to those of business .
`` I shall leave the dogs where they are , if you will promise to be very careful XXXXX them , '' she said .
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