The boy heard his grandfather's voice, and, with
that silent joy which his present finery inspired, ran to the door
to meet him: putting one hand in his, with the other pointed to his
sister, "See," said he, "what Miss Walton has brought us!"--Edwards
gazed on them. Harley fixed his eyes on Miss Walton; her's were
turned to the ground;--in Edwards's was a beamy moisture.--He folded
his hands together--"I cannot speak, young lady," said he, "to thank
you." Neither could Harley. There were a thousand sentiments; but
they gushed so impetuously on his heart, that he could not utter a
syllable. * * * *
CHAPTER XL--THE MAN OF FEELING JEALOUS
The desire of communicating knowledge or intelligence, is an
argument with those who hold that man is naturally a social animal.
It is indeed one of the earliest propensities we discover; but it
may be doubted whether the pleasure (for pleasure there certainly
is) arising from it be not often more selfish than social: for we
frequently observe the tidings of Ill communicated as eagerly as the
annunciation of Good. Is it that we delight in observing the
effects of the stronger passions? for we are all philosophers in
this respect; and it is perhaps amongst the spectators at Tyburn
that the most genuine are to be found.
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