Chapter XL

           

           Forthenextmonth,occupiedwithmyownaffairs,Isawnooneconnectedwiththislamentablebusiness,andmymindceasedtobeoccupiedwithit.Butoneday,whenIwaswalkingalong,bentonsomeerrand,IpassedCharlesStrickland.ThesightofhimbroughtbacktomeallthehorrorwhichIwasnotunwillingtoforget,andIfeltinmeasuddenrepulsionforthecauseofit.Nodding,foritwouldhavebeenchildishtocuthim,Iwalkedonquickly;butinaminuteIfeltahandonmyshoulder.

           "You’reinagreathurry,"hesaidcordially.

           Itwascharacteristicofhimtodisplaygenialitywithanyonewhoshowedadisinclinationtomeethim,andthecoolnessofmygreetingcanhavelefthiminlittledoubtofthat.

           "Iam,"Iansweredbriefly.

           "I’llwalkalongwithyou,"hesaid.

           "Why?"Iasked.

           "Forthepleasureofyoursociety."

           Ididnotanswer,andhewalkedbymysidesilently.Wecontinuedthusforperhapsaquarterofamile.Ibegantofeelalittleridiculous.Atlastwepassedastationer’s,anditoccurredtomethatImightaswellbuysomepaper.Itwouldbeanexcusetoberidofhim.

           "I’mgoinginhere,"Isaid."Good-bye."

           "I’llwaitforyou."

           Ishruggedmyshoulders,andwentintotheshop.IreflectedthatFrenchpaperwasbad,andthat,foiledofmypurpose,IneednotburdenmyselfwithapurchasethatIdidnotneed.IaskedforsomethingIknewcouldnotbeprovided,andinaminutecameoutintothestreet.

           "Didyougetwhatyouwanted?"heasked.

           "No."

           Wewalkedoninsilence,andthencametoaplacewhereseveralstreetsmet.Istoppedatthecurb.

           "Whichwaydoyougo?"Ienquired.

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