is safe a moment?

But this could scarcely be, for the one toward whom my thoughts had
flown for the last three hours, and on whom I had bent glances that
did her royal homage, was serenely unconscious of my interest, or else
supremely indifferent to it. She did not seem unfriendly, and I
imagined that she harbored some curiosity in regard to me. My dress,
manner, and some slight personal allusions secured far more attention
than any abstract topic I could introduce. Her lips, however, were so
exquisitely chiselled that they made, for the time, any utterance
agreeable, and suggested that only tasteful thoughts and words could
come from them.

"Now, mother," said Mr. Yocomb, leaning back in his chair after
finishing a generous cup of coffee, "I feel inclined to be a good
Christian man. I have a broad charity for about every one except
editors and politicians. I am a man of peace, and there can be no
peace while these disturbers of the body politic thrive by setting
people by the ears. I don't disparage the fare, mother, that thee
gives us at the meetinghouse, that is, when thee does give us any, but
I do take my affirmation that thee has prepared a gospel feast for us
since we came home that has refreshed my inner man. As long as I am in
the body, roast-beef and like creature comforts are a means of grace
to me. I am now in a contented frame of mind, and am quite disposed to
be amiable. Emily Warren, I can even tolerate thy music--nay, let me
speak the truth, I'd much like to hear some after my nap. Thee needn't
shake thy head at me, mother, I've caught thee listening, and if thee
brings me up before the meeting, I'll tell on thee. Does thee realize,
Emily Warren, that thee is leading us out of the straight and narrow
way?"