At the time , however , I felt thoroughly exasperated . I was in a hurry to get on . Important business engagements would be unhinged by the delay . I was a stranger in Broughton . It looked like a stupid , stuffy little town . I went to a hotel in an atrocious humor . After I had fumed until I wanted a change , it occurred to me that I might as well hunt up Clark Oliver by way of passing the time . I had never been overly fond of Clark Oliver , although he was my cousin . He was a bit of a cad , and stupider than anyone belonging to our family had a right to be . Moreover , he was in politics , and I detest politics . But I rather wanted to see if he looked as much like me as he used to . I had n't seen him for three years and I hoped that the time might have differentiated us to a saving degree . It was over a year since I had last been blown up by some unknown , excited individual on the ground that I was that scoundrel Oliver -- politically speaking . I thought that was a good omen . I went to Clark 's office , found he had left , and followed him to his rooms . The minute I saw him I experienced the same nasty feeling of lost or bewildered individuality which always overcame me in his presence . He was so absurdly like me . I felt as if I were looking into a mirror where my reflection persisted in doing things I did n't do , thereby producing a most uncanny sensation . Clark pretended he was glad to see me . He really could n't have been , because his Great Idea had n't struck him then , and we had always disliked each other .
`` Hello , Elliott , '' he said , shaking me XXXXX the hand with a twist he had learned in election campaigns , whereby something like heartiness was simulated .
After At although because by for in of that to