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The Mysterious Stranger by Mark Twain
page 55 of 141 (39%)
Ursula was pious and a bitter hater of witches. By the time Gottfried
arrived Providence was established, unshakably intrenched, and getting
all the gratitude. The cat made no murmur, but went on composedly
improving in style and prodigality by experience.

In any community, big or little, there is always a fair proportion of
people who are not malicious or unkind by nature, and who never do
unkind things except when they are overmastered by fear, or when their
self-interest is greatly in danger, or some such matter as that.
Eseldorf had its proportion of such people, and ordinarily their good and
gentle influence was felt, but these were not ordinary times--on account
of the witch-dread--and so we did not seem to have any gentle and
compassionate hearts left, to speak of. Every person was frightened at
the unaccountable state of things at Marget's house, not doubting that
witchcraft was at the bottom of it, and fright frenzied their reason.
Naturally there were some who pitied Marget and Ursula for the danger
that was gathering about them, but naturally they did not say so; it
would not have been safe. So the others had it all their own way, and
there was none to advise the ignorant girl and the foolish woman and warn
them to modify their doings. We boys wanted to warn them, but we backed
down when it came to the pinch, being afraid. We found that we were not
manly enough nor brave enough to do a generous action when there was a
chance that it could get us into trouble. Neither of us confessed this
poor spirit to the others, but did as other people would have done
--dropped the subject and talked about something else. And I knew we all
felt mean, eating and drinking Marget's fine things along with those
companies of spies, and petting her and complimenting her with the rest,
and seeing with self-reproach how foolishly happy she was, and never
saying a word to put her on her guard. And, indeed, she was happy, and
as proud as a princess, and so grateful to have friends again. And all
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