In his rare passions I admired Lute Cradlebow.
The greater meekness and patience which always followed, I attributed to
a lack of perseverance or a too easy abandonment of purpose.
"I hope you will be very happy all your life through, teacher;" he said,
as we stood at the door of the Ark; and he spoke very gently, and as
though he was going away then forever. Madeline had the key; she and her
companions had lingered at the school-house, as usual, after the meeting.
I murmured something about being very happy to have such a kind, true
friend; that I should probably leave Wallencamp before he went to sea,
but I hoped he would write me about his wanderings over the world, and I
should always be happy to answer and give him my sisterly advice.
Luther continued, thoughtfully, almost smiling:--
"You remember that night, teacher, ever so long ago it seems, before I
knew you, when the boys dragged me into the Ark and I kissed you? I've
always kissed the girls when they come home from anywhere, and I never
thought, you know. I didn't mean anything by it."
"Yes," I said. I think I must have looked amused. Luther answered the
laugh in my eyes with quiet appreciation.
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