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love as a power below our friendship. Once, I think, he asked, "Do love me?" but that was an appeal to my courage. For the rest, I have known many sweet and happy friendships-some very sweet for the short time they lasted, but very dear because of the happy fidelity which these constant hearts showed me. But sweet and happy as they have been, this one friendship of which I have written was much greater than all; for it was a friendship which unflinchingly sought my welfare. It taught me to know myself; to perceive weaknesses which might have been concealed from me. It has plunged me into fear as it showed me the tenacity with which evil things clung to me, or the irresolution with which I clung to things which were good. It depressed me with self-knowledge. It never despaired of me, though I might well have despaired of myself. And perhaps above all, it stood beside me in sorrow, in joy, in depression and in exaltation. Its loyal constancy its silent lovingness: its quiet insistence that I should still go on, even when weary: its wonderful aloofness, and its more wonderful nearness: its words of counsel its whispered encouragements: the music which it caused me to hear the visions and experiences of love which it brought me all these set this friendship above all others.

I know that whatever may happen to other friendships, this friendship will not fail. There has been no demonstrativeness in it, though it has brought me times of superlative gladness-a gladness calm, peaceful and heartsufficing. Its virtues have been its constancy, its tenderness

and its sanity. Thus it has had a character of its own, and it fills me with a confidence that I may rely upon it to the last; and perhaps when that wondrous hour comes when the road leads down the last slope which all must follow, and I come near to the dark waters over which the evening mists lie thick, I shall find that true, faithful friend will be near at hand to give me a last word of cheer, and perhaps a first word of welcome when I set my foot upon the shore which is so far off and yet so near.