John had to be expended in some way. Somehow I've
lost much of my old faith in books and laboratories. I've been
thinking a great deal about it, and seeing you again has given a
strong impulse to a forming purpose. I felt a sincere commiseration
when you gave up your life of a student. I was a fool to do so. I have
studied your face and manner this evening, and can see that you have
developed more manhood out in those Western mines, in your contact
with men and things and the large material interests of the world,
than you could have acquired by delving a thousand years among dusty
tomes."
"That little girl over there has done more for me than Western mines
and material interests."
"That goes without saying; and yet she could have done little for you,
had you been a dawdler. Indeed, in that case she would have had
nothing to do with you. She recognized that you were like the gold you
are mining--worth taking and fashioning; and I tell you she is not a
girl to be imposed upon."
"Flatterer!"
"No; friend."
"You admire Grace very much."
"I do indeed, and I respect her still more. You know I never was a
lady's man; indeed, the society of most young women was a weariness to
me.
Pages:
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153