ntertainment, 
other, and I, 
four youths 
entered a discussion on hope. FI being inspired by her 
pe. Flora, g ent, her counte- 
while Grace did 
keeping a person in an interesting state of € 
were sitting in their parlor, while Louis, their br 
not agree with anybody; on the other hand, 
listened, while I did the same, for I do like to 
gesticulate, hear them talk, having them simultaneously make 
me feel their little hearts leap, their eyes MOVS quickty, all 
being accompanied with a tender laugh, @ I 
Nevertheless, my time came to say something: I spoke as 
pros: 
ope, according to its position in the m 
that I am acquainted with all ita variations—trust, confidence, 
affiance, assurance, and so on, I am going to speak about 
one that Grace and Flora mostly entertain. I say this because 
ever since I have known you, Grace and Flora, I have studie 
your hopeful mind. Hence, I now proceed. ; 
Both of you have always thought of some expectation, 
always looked for some present, longed for an imaginary 
romise. When somebody knocks at your front door, your 
eart beats, your mind becomes uneasy, thinking that some- 
one 1s knocking with something for you—a present of some 
kind, the will of a dead rich person, something to make you 
happy. You have often wished that some mysterious person 
should send you a letter, one with a check for a thousand 
dollars. — Moreover, when despair, terror, dread, panic, an 
trepidation have aroused within your raind a utopia, the 
optimism of emboldened femininety.” 
‘But, Eugene, how do you know all of this?” asked 
Grace. 
“Because of the strict observation I have given to your 
personality.” 
“You are wonderful, Eugene!” exclaimed Flora. 
“You are,” interposed Louis. f r 
‘Now, Eugene, proceed, for I find you so interesting this 
evening.” 
Listen, then, for I now continue: You have always had 
a desire for the beautiful, a fondness for the magnificent, the 
great, the good things in life. Inclinations, predilections, 
aspirations have a been appetites. Anxiety has encour~ 
= you to have a hopeful mania of supreme thirst for an 
eal, a man to love, kiss, hug, play with like a little baby, 
talk to in tender words, and sleep with in a heavenly bed 
of dreams. Cheerfulness, gayety, comfort, joyfulness, live- 
liness, all forms of merriment, amusement, exultation, an 
rejoicing have been part of your future self, your ambition 
of peaceful hope. 
63 
ind, varies. And, 
