Company and Solitude 115 



the suggestion, but the world in some re- 

 spefts is worse, not better, than it appears, 

 and many an individual with a goodly ap- 

 pearance is thoroughly rotten at the core. 



" Who cares what you think, or say, or 

 are ?" my neighbor asks. 



" I do," I reply : " it is I who is talking 

 to myself." If you care to hear, listen ; if 

 not, turn a deaf ear. I am not intruding 

 upon your notice, nor desire to figure in your 

 life even as a shadow crosses your sunshine 

 and is gone. The truth is, you intruded. 

 You broke the silence by your uncalled-for 

 question. You asked me to speak, and, as 

 usual, have only myself about which to 

 converse. But while you tarry, let us be 

 neighborly for a moment, and not, like wan- 

 dering atoms in emptied space, kick each 

 other into different directions. However 

 wrapped up in one's self, we can be of mu- 

 tual advantage. You can profit by my blun- 

 ders ; I, by yours. 



The storm increases in violence as night 

 draws on apace, and I have now no ghosts to 

 cheer me nor desire to call them up. Even 

 they have sought shelter; and more than 

 ever it is a fitting time to take down " Wai- 



