The shallow water above the flat flashed into fire.

I am not superstitious, as a general thing, but the sight comforted me.

It seemed like an omen.

There was the one bright spot in the outlook.

There, at least, I had not behaved like a "fool Rube." There I had compelled respect and been taken seriously.
Dorinda spoke again.
"You ain't asked who your other caller was," she observed.
"Was there another ?" "Um-hm.