"Let all things proceed as you have determined, and we shall
accomplish something that it will be a life-long satisfaction to
remember," said he; "but you must be prepared for some twist of the
screw which you do not anticipate. I never knew anything to go off
just as one prognosticates it must, except once," he added
thoughtfully, "and then it was with a surprise attached to it that
well nigh upset me notwithstanding all my preparations."
"You won a great success that day," remarked I. "I hope the fates will
be as propitious to me to-morrow. Failure now would break my heart."
"But you won't fail," exclaimed he. "I myself am resolved to see you
through this matter with credit."
And in this assurance I returned to my lodgings where I found the
landlady sitting where I had left her, darning her twenty-third sock.
"I have to mend for a dozen men and three boys," said she, "and the
boys are the worst by a heap sight. Look at that, will you," holding
up a darn with a bit of stocking attached. "That hole was made
playing shinny."
I uttered my condolences and asked if any sound or disturbance had
reached her ears from above.
"O no, all is right up there; I've scarcely heard a whisper since
you've been gone."
I gave her a pat on the chin scarcely consistent with my aged and
tottering mien and proceeded to shamble painfully to my room.
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