After Brainard's withdrawal Abbie and Ogden sat for some time in
silence. The moon sank; the clatter of hoofs on the asphalt sounded
less frequently; some of the neighbors over the way had pulled in their
rugs, and were now seen, by new-lighted gas-jets, at upper windows
pulling down their shades. The breeze freshened; it rustled the lilacs
and syringas in the side yard, and it swayed the stringy mass of wild
cucumbers that had taken it upon themselves to hide the red hideousness
of the barn.
Suddenly Ogden spoke.
"There! I knew I should forget it, and I have. I laid it on my bureau
the last thing, too!"
"What?"
"Why--'A False Start.' You haven't wanted it, have you?"
"No; keep it if you like. I've read it."