"Well, I don't know what thee thinks, or what these other people think,
but I know of no worse nuisance than a filthy, blasphemous drunkard.
There he sits,--remove him."
There was a perfect shout of laughter and delight; and before the irate
"citizen" comprehended what was intended, or could throw himself into a
pugilistic attitude, he was seized, _sans_ ceremony, and ignominiously
pushed and hustled from the car; the people therein, black soldier and
all, drawing a long breath of relief, and going on their way rejoicing.
Everybody's eyes were brighter; hearts beat faster, blood moved more
quickly; everybody felt a sense of elation, and a kindness towards their
neighbor and all the world. A cruel and senseless prejudice had been
lost in an impulse, generous and just; and for a moment the sentiment
which exalted their humanity, vivified and gladdened their souls.
CHAPTER XI
"_The future seemed barred
By the corpse of a dead hope._"
OWEN MEREDITH
So, then, after these long years he had seen her again. Having seen her,
he wondered how he had lived without her. If the wearisome months seemed
endless in passing, the morning hours were an eternity. "This
afternoon?" he had said. "Be it so," she had answered. He did not dare
to go till then.
Thinking over the scene of the morning, he scarcely dared go at all. She
had not offered her hand; she had expressed no pleasure, either by look
or word, at meeting him again.
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