From his standpoint there were but few preliminaries to be carried on.

This was the design, the scheme.

This was what life had had in store for him, and why should he hesitate to enter into possession?
Why should he delay to speak that which was foremost in his soul, which assuredly at that very moment must be the foremost concern in all the interlocking universe of worlds?
After his fashion he had gone straight.

He could not understand the sickening thought that he did not arrive, that his assertion did not convince, that his desire did not impinge.
Mary Ellen turned toward him slowly at length, and so far from seeming serious, her features bore the traces of a smile.

"Do you know," said she, "I think I heard of a stage-driver--wasn't it somewhere out West--who was taking a school-teacher from the railroad to the schoolhouse--and he--well, that is to say--" "He said things--" "Yes, that is it.