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.
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