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Gissing, George, 1857-1903

"The Unclassed"

"
The girl turned away without further leave-taking, and Julian walked
southwards with a troubled face.
Waymark expected him to tea. At this, their third meeting, the two
were already on very easy terms. Waymark did the greater share of
the talking, for Julian was naturally of fewer words; from the
beginning it was clear that the elder of the friends would have the
initiative in most things. Waymark unconsciously displayed something
of that egoism which is inseparable from force of character, and to
the other this was far from disagreeable; Julian liked the novel
sensation of having a strong nature to rely upon. Already he was
being led by his natural tendency to hero-worship into a fervid
admiration for his friend.
"What have you' been doing with yourself this fine day?" Waymark
asked, as they sat down to table.
"I always spend Sunday afternoon with a cousin of mine," replied
Julian, with the unhesitating frankness which was natural to him.
"Male or female?"
"Female." There was a touch of colour on his face as he met the
other's eye, and he continued rather quickly. "We lived together
always as children, and were only separated at my uncle's death,
three years ago.


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