Page:My Friend Annabel Lee (1903).pdf/101

 "I've no intention of saying it," said I.

"You will find," said my friend Annabel Lee—without noticing my interruption, and with curious expressions in her voice and upon her two red lips—"you will find that these bitternesses come from time to time in your life, like so many milestones. They are useful as such—for of course you like to take measurements along the road, now and again, to see what progress you have made. Along some parts of the road you will find your progress wonderful. If you are appreciative and grateful, at the last milestone you have come to thus far you will express your measure of gratitude to the kind fates. That is, no—" said my friend Annabel Lee, "you will not do this at the milestone, but after you have passed it and have turned a corner, and so can not see it even when you look back."

"But why shall I express gratitude