Hebron.
Then he asked me, would I just join forces with him,--since we must put
the movement above personalities....
We had a long talk about life and "Nature" ideals. The man showed all
his soul, all his struggles, to me. And I saw his real greatness and was
moved greatly. And I informed him I would antagonise him no longer,
that, though I would not give up the desirable site, otherwise, I would
help him all I could.
Then he said he would be glad to have me stay, and we shook hands
warmly, the moisture of feeling shining in our eyes.
* * * * *
As the time for my return to school drew near, I was in fine physical
condition, better than ever before in my life. I was still somewhat
thin, but now it could be called slenderness, not thinness. And I was
surprised at the laughing, healthy, sun-browned look of my face.
I felt a confidence in myself I had never known before....
* * * * *
I had a flirtation with a pretty, freckle-faced girl. She worked in
Barton's "factory," and she used to come down to my tent where I sat
reading, with only my trunks on,--during the noon hour,--and ask me to
read poetry aloud to her. And I read Shelley. She would draw shyly
closer to me, sending me into a visible tremour that made me ashamed of
myself.
At times, as we read, her fair, fine hair would brush my cheek and send
a shiver of fire through me.
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