Page:Winter - from the Journal of Henry D. Thoreau.djvu/205

Rh ness not as if Nature's breath were held, but expired. Let me know that such hours as this are the wealthiest in Time's gift. It is the insufficiency of the hour which, if we but feel and understand, we shall reassert our independence then.

Jan. 17, 1852. The other day as I was passing the  house  with my pantaloons as usual tucked into my boots (there was no path beyond H's), I heard some persons in 's shed, but did not look round, and when I had got a rod or two beyond, I heard some one call out impudently from the shed, something like, &quot;Holloa, Mister, what do you think of the walking?&quot; I turned round directly, and saw three men standing in the shed. I was resolved to discomfit them, that they should prove their manhood, if they had any, and find something to say, though they had nothing before, that they should make amends to the universe by feeling cheap. They should either say to my face and eye what they had said to my back, or they should feel the meanness of having to change their tone. So I called out, looking at one, &quot;Do you wish to speak to me, sir?&quot; No answer. So I stepped a little nearer and repeated the question, when one replied, &quot;Yes, sir.&quot; So I advanced with alacrity up the path they had shoveled. In the mean while one ran