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14

and you see I have not left myself much time."

He got up right away off the sofa on which we had been sitting and looked at the clock.

"Yes, I am dining out too," he said and with that he came and stood directly in front of me.

I stood up.

He put out his hand. I put mine out and said:
"Good bye."

Our hands met suddenly the whole expression of his face changed, he became white, perfectly white and did not utter a sound. I have never in my life seen such a change come over anyone,
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it was so great that though he is insignificant and in no way especially nice or nice looking, I felt it, felt it right through me and stood as if spell bound. He was pulling me toward him, not as if he had intended to, but as if some thing inside of him stronger than he could resist was pulling. For a second I forgot myself then woke to the reality that if I did not do something, something would happen. I drew myself quickly away and walked to the fire place. I was as incapable of speech as he was. For a few seconds we stood thus. He where I had