Then a great vacancy would
overspread his face turned to the window, as suddenly to gather to a
cheerful smile, and light, irradiated, once more on me. Then down
would drop his chin over his plate, and away go finger and spoon among
his victuals in a dance as brisk and whole-hearted as the other.
He took me out again into his garden after supper, and we walked
beneath the trees.
"'Tis bliss to be a bachelor, sir," he said, gazing on the resinous
trunk of an old damson tree. "I gorge, I guzzle; I am merry, am
melancholy; studious, harmonical, drowsy,--and none to scold
or deny me. For the rest, why, youth is vain: yet youth had
pleasure--innocence and delight. I chew the cud of many a peaceful
acre. Ay, I have nibbled roses in my time. But now, what now? I have
lived so long far from courts and courtesy, grace and fashion, and am
so much my own close and indifferent friend--Why! he is happy who has
solitude for housemate, company for guest. I say it, I say it; I marry
daily wives of memory's fashioning, and dream at peace."
It seemed an old bone he picked with Destiny.
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