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The rest of the evening was similar to last night except I got roped into an auto ride with young Imler, Margaret (the third waitress - a Boston University girl) and Ruth. I thought it would be for fifteen minutes - instead it was an hour and there I was sitting in the back seat with Ruth riding around the Maine woods while my own gang was back there wondering where I was. I felt like an ass but there was nothing I could do about it. To make the best of it, I tried to get Ruth to talk about herself but could succeed only in getting a lot of silly answers that meant nothing. My conclusion was finally that she was clever but shallow - has no passionate likes or dislikes - a rather silly kid. And I gleaned a lesson I hope. I'm not a kid any more. Stick to people of my own age unless they are very unusual and see life more as I see it. My time would have been spent to far better advantage with Miss Foster - from her I might have learned a lot that would have been interesting about her - her life, her outlook, her attitude. As it was I felt like a pure and simple bonehead. When we got back, Clifford had gone to bed, and Neil was having a midnight swim accompanied by Miss Foster. They came into the Cabin and found me having a sandwich and a glass of milk with the kids. Neil had on his trunks & a towel over his shoulders and claiming how warm it was. Miss F. had not been in but had been an admiring spectator of Neil who had had the fortitude to brave the cold night air. I felt at home again with them and made the best of a bad situation by explaining when I could that I had had no intention of running away for so long. But after all, I knew I had spoiled a good evening by trying to recapture Youth too impetuously and thoughtlessly