The reader must excuse
this brief array of dry historical details, because only by bearing in
mind that such had been the peculiar political education of the people
of Berkshire, will it appear fully credible that revolt should so
readily become organized, and anarchy assume the forms of law and
order.
From the extent of his property interests and the popular animosity
which endangered them, no gentleman in Stockbridge had more necessity
to keep the right side of Perez Hamlin than Squire Edwards, and it was
not the storekeeper's fault if he did not. Comparatively few days
passed in which Perez did not find himself invited to take a glass of
something, as he passed the store, and without touching the point
either of servility or hypocrisy Edwards knew how to make himself so
affable that Perez began actually to think that perhaps he liked him
for his own sake, and even cherished the wild idea of taking him into
confidence concerning his passion and hope as to Desire. Had he done
so Edwards would certainly have found himself in a very awkward
predicament. Meanwhile, day after day and even week after week passed,
and save for an occasional glimpse of her passing a window, or the
shadow on her bedroom curtain with which his long night watches were
sometimes rewarded, he saw nothing of Desire.
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