"
"How long will you wait?" I asked.
"Almost any reasonable time."
"You and he might not take the same view of what was reasonable,"
said I.
"Perhaps not. But, as I remarked just now, being in no hurry to
leave our present home, I shall not disturb him for some months to
come. No change will be made by us earlier than next spring. And if
he wishes to spend the winter in his present abode, he is welcome to
remain."
There was no assumed virtuous forbearance in all this; but a sincere
regard for the feelings and comfort of Dewey. This was so apparent,
that I did not question for a moment his generous consideration of a
man who would not have hesitated, if the power were given, to crush
him to the very earth.
Many thoughts passed in my mind, as I pondered the incidents and
conversation of this evening. In looking back upon life, we see the
sure progress of causes to effects; and in the effects, the quality
of the causes. We no longer wonder at results--the only wonder is,
that they were not foreseen. Wise maxims, some of the garnered
grains of our fathers' experiences, are scattered through the books
we read, and daily fall from the lips of teachers and friends;
maxims which, if observed, would lead us to honor and happiness.
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