ARTHUR
11

It is futile to hoard executions for my negligence, or to spend the little bit of strength left to me in regret. I went back to the store and asked Mr. Capper, the man I just mentioned as my father's neighbor. I was told that Capper was now in town; that he had been staying over, on the last night, in this house; that he expected to do the same tonight, he said, but a man called ten minutes ago, whose invitation to stay with him tonight had been accepted. They just got out together. Who, I ask, the man? The landlord had no knowledge of him; he knew neither his residence nor his name. Is Mr Capper expected to come back here in the morning? No; he had heard the stranger proposed to Mr. Capper to go with him to the countryside tomorrow, and Mr. Capper, he was sure, had agreed.

This disappointment is so bad. I have lost, because of my own negligence, the only opportunity that could be offered to meet my friend. Had the memory of my loss been delayed for three minutes, I should have walked into the house, and the meeting would have been assured. I cannot find any other way to avoid evil at this time. My heart from now on, for the first time, droops. I look back, with nameless emotions, on the days of my infancy. I called a picture of my mother. I contemplated the madness of my surviving parents, and the disgusting plunder of Betty, in horror. I see myself as the most doomed and isolated human being.

I am currently sitting in the recreation room. There were other people in the same apartment, sitting around, or whistling, or singing. I did not pay attention to them, but, leaning my head over my hands, I surrendered myself to a painful and intense meditation. From here I was woken by someone who put himself on a bench near me and greeted me thus:— "Please excuse me, who was the person you were looking for earlier? Maybe I can give you some information. You want. If I could, you'd be very welcoming." I focused my gaze with some desire on the person speaking. He was a young man, dressed expensively and fashionable, whose appearance was very attractive, and his face showed some part of wisdom. I explained to him the man I was looking for. "I myself am looking for the same person" he said, "but I hope to meet him here. He might stay somewhere else, but he promised to meet me here at half-nine. I'm sure he'll keep his promise. , so you'll meet the man."

I am very grateful for this information, and thank my informant with a little warmth. My gratitude he did not realize, but continued: "To deceive hope, I have ordered dinner; will you help me to take part with me, unless you have dinner?" I was forced, somewhat awkwardly, to reject his invitation, because I was aware that the means of payment were not in my power. He continued, however, to urge my obedience until finally, though reluctantly, he gave up. My primary motive was the certainty of meeting Capper.

My new acquaintance was very easy to talk to, but his conversation was mainly characterized by honesty and good humor. My reserves gradually diminished, and I ventured to tell him, in general, about my previous condition and my current outlook. He listened to my details attentively, and commented wisely. His statements, however, tend to prevent me from staying in the city.

An hour passed and Capper did not show up. I noticed this situation to him without a little attention. She said that maybe she forgot or ignored her engagement. The affair is not the most important, and may soon be postponed for future opportunities. He sensed that my agility was greatly muffled by this intelligence. He urged me to reveal the cause. He made himself very happy with my distress, when it was finally known. Regarding the cost of dinner, I have taken it upon his invitation; therefore he must of course be charged with it. Regarding the inn, she had a room and a bed, which she asked me to share with her.

Thus, my faculty is kept on a stretch of wonders. Every new act of kindness in this man is beyond the most beautiful expectations I have formed. I see no reason why I should be treated with virtue. I should have acted the same way if placed in the same situation; however it seemed strange and unexplainable. I know where my ideas about human nature come from. They are certainly not descendants of my own feelings. It will teach me that interests and obligations are mixed in every act of generosity.

I paused for a moment to ponder the design possibilities of this person. What goals can this behavior achieve? I am not the subject of violence or fraud. I have no jewels or coins to stimulate the betrayal of others. All that is offered is lodging for overnight. Is this an extraordinary act of transcendent disinterest? My clothes are worse than my comrades, but my intellectual achievements are at least on the same level as her. Why should he be insensitive to my claim for his kindness? I was a young man who lacked experience, money, and friends; but I did not have all of my mental and personal abilities. That my merit should be found, even in such a lean relationship, there was definitely no shocking belief in it.

While I was deliberating so, my new friend was earnest in his plea for my company. He commented on my doubts, but considered them to be the wrong cause. "Come," he said, "I can guess your objection and can avoid it. You are afraid of being ushered into company; and people who have passed through their lives like you have a tremendous antipathy towards strange faces; but this is bedtime with us. family, we have a, so that we can postpone your introduction with them until tomorrow. We can go to our room without being seen by anyone but the waiter."

I am not aware of this situation. My reluctance flowed from different causes, but, now that the discomfort of the ceremony was mentioned, they seemed very heavy to me. I was very happy that they should be avoided, and agreed to go with him.

We passed a few roads and turned a few corners. Eventually we turned into a sort of field that seemed to be mostly occupied by stables. "We're going," he said, "through the back road into the house. Thus we will save ourselves from having to enter the living room, where some families may still be."

My colleague spoke a lot as usual, but did not say anything from which I could gather knowledge about the number, character, and condition of his family.