_The Friendly Sons of the Boiled Spinach_ My friend gave me the names of several men of acknowledged standing and told me I should be making no mistake did I put myself in the hands of any one on the list.

I thanked him and departed from his presence.

To the casual eye I may have seemed, going away, to be in high spirits; but, confidentially, I wasn't feeling so very brash.

My spirits were low.

I had heard the truth--I made no effort to deceive myself there--but the truth was painful.
Still, knowing what I should do, I hesitated, temporizing with myself.