…taking is an ideal one。 Why not； then； leave the leave…taking at that？ Always； departing friends implore us not to bother to e to the railway station next morning。 Always； we are deaf to these entreaties； knowing them to be not quite sincere。 The departing friends would think it very odd of us if we took them at their word。 Besides； they really do want to see us again。 And that wish is heartily reciprocated。 We duly turn up。 And then； oh then； what a gulf yawns！ We stretch our arms vainly across it。 We have utterly lost touch。 We have nothing at all to say。 We gaze at each other as dumb animals gaze at human beings。 We“make conversation”—and such conversation！ We know that these friends are the friends from whom we parted overnight。 They know that we have not altered。 Yet； on the surface； everything is different； and the tension is such that we only long for the guard to blow his whistle and put an end to the farce。书包 网 。 想看书来
送 行（4）
On a cold grey morning of last week I duly turned up at Euston； to see off an old friend who was starting for America。
Overnight； we had given him a farewell dinner； in which sadness was well mingled with festivity3。 Years probably would elapse before his return。 Some of us might never see him again。 Not ignoring the shadow of the future； we gaily celebrated the past。 We were as thankful to have known our guest as we were grieved to lose him； and both these emotions were made manifest。 It was a perfect farewell。
And n