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Bates, Arlo, 1850-1918

"The Puritans"

"
"One often thinks things out in that way. Hasn't that been your
experience?"
"Yes," he responded thoughtfully; "although I don't know that I ever
realized it before. I see now that I've often reasoned out things that
bothered me simply by trying to tell them to my friend, Mr. Ashe."
"Is he your bosom friend and confidant? It is usually supposed to be a
woman in such a case."
"Oh, no," was his somewhat too eager rejoinder; "I never talked like
this to a woman. I never wanted to before."
A look which passed over her face seemed to tell him that the talk was
taking a tone more confidential than she liked. He was keyed up to a
pitch of excitement and of sensitiveness; and a thrill of
disappointment pierced him. He became at once silent; and then he
fancied that she glanced at him as if in question why his mood had
changed so suddenly. The train rolled into the station at Worcester,
and he went out to walk a moment on the platform, and to try to collect
his thoughts. He had forgotten now to question his right to be enjoying
the companionship of Miss Morison; he gloated over her friendly looks
and words, thinking of how he might have said this and that, and thus
have appeared to better advantage, and resolving to be more self-
controlled for the remainder of the ride.


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