It was indeed a charming little cottage. Crimson ramblers, giving
promise of the bloom that was yet to come, climbed over one end
of the porch, and there were fine dark-leaved lilac-bushes near
the doorway: oh, a pleasant, friendly, quiet place!
I opened the front gate and walked straight in, as though I had
at last reached my destination. I cannot give any idea of the
lift of the heart with which I entered upon this new adventure.
Without the premeditation and not knowing what I should say or
do, I realized that everything dependedupon a few sentences spoken
within the next minute or two. Believe me, this experience to
a man who does not know where his next meal is coming from, nor
where he is to spend the night, is well worth having. It is a
marvellous sharpener of the facts.
I knew, of course, just how these people of the cottage would
ordinarily regard an intruder whose bag and clothing must
infallibly class him as a follower of the road. And so many
followers of the road are--well--
As I came nearer, the man and woman stopped rocking, but said
nothing. An old dog that had been sleeping on the top step rose
slowly and stood there.
"As I passed your garden," I said, grasping desperately for a way
of approach, "I saw your beautiful specimen of the magnolia
tree--the one still in blossom.
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