There , is n't that a lovely mystery ? '' `` It 's a pretty queer yarn , '' said Felix . `` I wonder if it is true -- and what it means . '' `` I intend to find out what it means , '' said the Story Girl . `` I am going to get acquainted with the Awkward Man sometime , and then I 'll find out his Alice-secret . '' `` I do n't see how you 'll ever get acquainted with him , '' said Felicity . `` He never goes anywhere except to church . He just stays home and reads books when he is n't working . Mother says he is a perfect hermit . '' `` I 'll manage it somehow , '' said the Story Girl -- and we had no doubt that she would . `` But I must wait until I 'm a little older , for he would n't tell the secret of the west room to a little girl . And I must n't wait till I 'm TOO old , for he is frightened of grown-up girls , because he thinks they laugh at his awkwardness . I know I will like him . He has such a nice face , even if he is awkward . He looks like a man you could tell things to . '' `` Well , I 'd like a man who could move around without falling over his own feet , '' said Felicity . `` And then the look of him ! Uncle Roger says he is long , lank , lean , narrow , and contracted . '' `` Things always sound worse than they are when Uncle Roger says them , '' said the Story Girl . `` Uncle Edward says Jasper Dale is a very clever man and it 's a great pity he was n't able to finish his college course .
He went XXXXX college two years , you know .
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