ARTHUR
93

His approval in the pacific system was very reluctant and gradual. He put aside one tone of frown and a gaze full of fury; and, finally, agreed not only to feed me dinner, but also to partake with me. Nothing surprises him more than his patience. He doesn't know how he is. He's never been treated like that before. He is not proof of supplication and submission; but I have never pleaded or bowed. The items made from me at once were very hard and very pliable. When she thought about my sassness, staying at her house after she told me to leave, she was tempted to continue her passion. When he contemplated my courage, in defusing his anger, despite his known rashness and my personal inferiority, he could not help his pride. But my patience under his rebuke, my unalterable equanimity, and my ready consent for the validity of his claim, placate and reconcile him.

The exception to the punches and abuse was all I could get from this man. I am telling the truth, with respect to my own history, to the extent that it is related to Hadwin . I pointed out, in affecting the color, Eliza's helpless condition; but could not squeeze anything out of her except her consent that, if she chose, she might come and live with him. He would give her food and clothes for so much homework she could do. If he chooses to live elsewhere, he promises not to mistreat him, or interfere in his affairs. The house and the land are his by law, and he will own it.

It is not my authority to criticize or refute it. I declare what action a person who considers the interests of others to be more than his own; who worries about the welfare of an innocent girl, who is bound to him by the bonds of kinsmen, and who have no so-called natural friends. If he doesn't cancel, for her sake, his bonds and mortgage, he will, at least, give her frugal care. He will extend to him, in all emergencies, his advice and protection.

All that, he said, was nonsense. He could not be surprised enough by my folly, in proposing to him to give a free gift of a hundred acres, to a girl who barely knew her right hand from her left; who's the first cunning young bastard like me will come out of the whole, and bring himself into the bargain. But my stupidity was even defeated by my sassiness, because, as this girl friend, I was only petitioning for my own sake. I had come to him, whom I had never seen before, whom I did not claim, and who, as I know, had reason to take me sharper, and humbly said, "This is a girl who has no wealth. desperately needs one. Pray, give him the treasure you have. If you do, I'll marry her, and take it into my own hands." I may be grateful that he did not answer such a petition with a horse whip. But if he did not give her his possessions, he would probably give her, sincerely, his advice and protection. "That's what I'm offering to do" he continued. "She may come and live in my house, if she wishes. He might do some family work. I'll free the chambermaid to make room for him. Lizzy, if I remember correctly, has a pretty face. He could' "I don't have a better market for it than as a waitress in an inn. If he thought about his p and q, he would probably make a lot of money at the end of the year."

I thought it was time to stop the conference; and, after my dinner was over, I paid my respects, leaving behind a strange male character . I sped up to the prothonotary office, which was kept in the village, and quickly ascertained the truth of Hadwin's pretence . There are mortgages, with bonds and attorney's warrants, with amounts so large that it would swallow everything in Malverton . Equipped with this news, I prepared, with a drooping heart, to return to Mr. Curling.

This changed my view of my friend. Its wealth consists of several hundred dollars, which, if managed sparingly, can provide decent accommodation in the country. When this was consumed, he had to make a living in taking care of a large wheel or a bucket of milk, unless luck allowed me to put him in a more favorable situation. This state, in some ways, but slightly different from the state in which he spent most of his previous life; but, in his father's house, this work is dignified because, to some degree, it is voluntary, and reduced by frequent leisure and leisure intervals. Now they tend to prove annoying and slave, as it is done for hire and forced by necessity. Equality, parental concern, and fraternal affection, want to lighten that burden.

This crime, however, was some distance from Eliza. His current residence was calm and serene. Here she may enjoy household fun and mental improvement opportunities for at least the next twelve months. This period may be sufficient for the formation of diligent study habits. What scheme should be adopted for this purpose will be determined by the destiny I have to keep myself.

My path is outlined, and my fantasy now pursues it with great pleasure. To live in your family; to study your profession; to pursue some subordinate or casual industrial fashion, with which I can buy leisure time for medical activities, for social recreation, for social recreation, and to study the human race on your busy and crowded stage, is the scope of my desire. This fate would not preclude timely correspondence and occasional visits to Eliza. The questioner can be called to action, and his mind is raised by books, and every hour is made to increase his store of knowledge and enlarge his limits.

I was not excited and moody when I left; but reflections about my future fate, and only views about my friend's situation, subconsciously restored my joy. I arrived at Mr.'s house. Curling at night, and hurrying to convey to Eliza the matter of my commission. It made him uncomfortable, just because it thwarted the design, which he had lovingly pondered, to live in the city. He was somewhat amused by my promise to be his regular correspondent and occasional visitor.

The next morning I began my journey here, on foot. The road is not long; the weather, despite being cold, remains healthy and calm. My spirit was high, and I saw nothing in the world before me but sunshine and prosperity. I realized that my happiness does not depend on natural revolution or human change. All without it, indeed, change and uncertainty; but in my chest there is a center that should not be shaken or pushed aside. My goal is honest and firm. Each sense is the entrance of pleasure, for it is the way of knowledge; and my soul contemplates the world with ideas, and shines with joy over the majesty and beauty of its own creation.