I woke up alone in the night and I was most scared to death , master . Lord , what shadows and queer noises there were ! I dars n't move . I just sat there quaking , poor small mite . Then all at once I saw the moon looking down at me through the pine boughs , just like an old friend . I was comforted right off . Got up and walked to the house as brave as a lion , looking at her . Goodnight , master . Tell Mary the lilacs 'll last another week yet . '' From that night Abel and I were cronies . We walked and talked and kept silence and fished cod together . Stillwater people thought it very strange that I should prefer his society to that of the young fellows of my own age . Mrs. Campbell was quite worried over it , and opined that there had always been something queer about me . `` Birds of a feather . '' I loved that old garden by the harbour shore . Even Abel himself , I think , could hardly have felt a deeper affection for it . When its gate closed behind me it shut out the world and my corroding memories and discontents . In its peace my soul emptied itself of the bitterness which had been filling and spoiling it , and grew normal and healthy again , aided thereto by Abel 's wise words . He never preached , but he radiated courage and endurance and a frank acceptance of the hard things of life , as well as a cordial welcome of its pleasant things . He was the sanest soul I ever met .
He neither minimized ill nor exaggerated good , but he held that we should never be controlled XXXXX either .
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