I 'm never tired of finding out what a moonrise sheen can be like over that sea . There 's a surprise in it every time . Now , master , you 're getting your mouth in the proper shape to talk business -- but do n't you do it . Nobody should talk business when he 's expecting a moonrise . Not that I like talking business at any time . '' `` Unfortunately it has to be talked of sometimes , Mr. Armstrong , '' I said . `` Yes , it seems to be a necessary evil , master , '' he acknowledged . `` But I know what business you 've come upon , and we can settle it in five minutes after the moon 's well up . I 'll just agree to everything you and the other two trustees want . Lord knows why they ever put me on the school board . Maybe it 's because I 'm so ornamental . They wanted one good-looking man , I reckon . '' His low chuckle , so full of mirth and so free from malice , was infectious . I laughed also , as I sat down in the hop-vine arbour . `` Now , you need n't talk if you do n't want to , '' he said . `` And I wo n't . We 'll just sit here , sociable like , and if we think of anything worth while to say we 'll say it . Otherwise , not . If you can sit in silence with a person for half an hour and feel comfortable , you and that person can be friends . If you ca n't , friends you 'll never be , and you need n't waste time in trying . ''
Abel and I passed successfully the test of silence that evening XXXXX the hop-vine arbour .
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