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Gissing, George, 1857-1903

"The Unclassed"

"Will you tell me where you are going to?"
She told him, without looking up, and with a recurrence to the timid
manner which had marked her in the schoolroom. This gave Waymark
encouragement; his confidence grew as hers diminished.
"Will you let me write to you--occasionally? Would you let me keep
up our acquaintance in this way,--so that, if you return to
London, I might look forward to meeting you again some time?"
The girl answered timidly--
"I shall be glad to keep up our acquaintance. I shall be glad to
hear from you."
Then, at once feeling that she had gone too far, her confusion made
her pale. Waymark held out his hand, as if to take leave.
"Thank you very much," he said warmly. "I am very grateful."
She gave him a quick "good-bye," and then passed on. Waymark moved
at once in the opposite direction, turning the corner. Then he
wished to go back and notice which house she entered, but would not
do so lest she should observe him. He walked straight forwards.
How the aspect of the world had changed for him in these few
minutes; what an incredible revolution had come to pass in his own
desires and purposes t The intellectual atmosphere he breathed was
of his own creation; the society of cultured people he had never had
an opportunity of enjoying.


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