Few words, however, were exchanged between the parties. If Hinkley
beheld an enemy to his heart's hopes in Stevens, the latter was
sufficiently well-read in the human heart to discover quite as
soon, that the rustic was prepared to see in himself any character
but that of a friend. The unwillingness with which Hinkley heard his
suggestions--the absence of all freedom and ease in his deportment,
toward himself, so different from the manner of the youth when
speaking or listening to all other persons; the occasional gleam
of jealous inquiry and doubt within his eye, and the utter lack
of all enthusiasm and warmth in his tones while he spoke to him,
satisfied Stevens, that he, of all the household of his hospitable
entertainers, if not actually suspicious of his true character,
was the one whose suspicions were those most easily to be awakened,
and who of all others, needed most to be guarded against. It will
not increase our estimate of the wisdom of the stranger, to learn
that, with this conviction, he should yet arrogate to himself a
tone of superiority, while speaking in hearing of the youth.

This was shown in a manner that was particularly galling to a
high-spirited youth, and one whose prejudices were already awakened
against the speaker. It was that of a paternal and patronizing
senior, whose very gentleness and benignity of look and accent,
seem to arise from a full conviction of the vast difference which
exists between himself and his hearer. An indignity like this, which
can not be resented, is one which the young mind feels always most
anxious to resent. The very difficulties in the way of doing so,
stimulates the desire. Such was the feeling of William Hinkley.
With such a feeling it may be conjectured that opportunity was
not long wanting, or might soon be made, for giving utterance to
the suppressed fires of anger which were struggling in his heart.