The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1903-11-26
THE POINT OF VIEW

boSNliOhNs
at depends" said I, upon the
point of view"
"You can't make black white she
protested, however you look at 1t.
You call yourself platonistw
call myself anything that gives
chance Of unlimited discussion with
Molly.
quite so. AS a platonist | hold
that falling in love is undesirable, il
not necessarily absurd.
"The absurd is necessarily undesira-
| BILE"
Not a bit. You are absurd"
"I'm sure I'm not"
But extremely desirable"
'1f you mean"
"As a platonic companion"
"Platonic friendship has nothing
whatever to do with falling in love-"
She was so emphatic that knew
she was doubtful.
THE same qualities which, from an
enlightened standpoint, make you de-
sirable as platonic friend, from an
other point of view would excuse an
illregulated person for falling in love
with you"
How dare you speak in that way?"
she demanded, hotly, "Of course,
shouldn't allow any one to do such a
thing: but, If an~ one did. | don't see
why he should be called names"
Neither do |. That's just it."
"Of course, he would be very fool
ish."
Exactly"
She tossed her head.
Mamma will be wanting me-" she
announced loftily. 80 perhaps you
can find something to amuse your
SELF
She gathered up her woods and rose
Don't go for minute, Molly"
pleaded
81 am going this instant"
She sat down again.
What | meant" l explained. was
that although he would be foolish
from our standpoint not to embrace
the opportunities of the higher pla-
tonic friendship which we have found
so delightful"
Have we?" she observed, with
great disdain.
yet he would be human, rather
than absurd, in falling a victim to
your charms. Speaking with the
brotherly frankness allowed by our
compact, they are so considerable"
"Flattery is forgiven by the COM
nat -1,D
"Of course, l know you don't mean
It."
But do. You have way of look
ing at Il fellow"
Il haven't
(Which might easily disturb sus-
ceptibe mind"
You silly fellow!'
"a way" l repeated, feelingly,
(which is very trying, even to so pro-
nounced a platonist as l."
Il sometimes think" she murmured,
thoughtfully, that your platonic
views are not SO pronounced as you
profess
Surely my practice confirms my
theory?" l inquired, with astonish-
ment.
Last night, when you put us in the
hanson
She paused, doubtfully. | raised my
hands in protest.
"A casual and extremely slight de-
Walton from the platonic standpoint"
Her mother was with her. Il may
have squeezed your hand a little, but
what of that? Why, you returned"
Il didn't. 1t was absurd of you"
again, you might refer to the night
we walked home from Hamiton's."
81 am not likely to refer to that"
'But | wish to be clear from any
risk Of misconception," l insisted,
loftily. 1T is true l kissed you,
but"
Il was exceedingly cross" She
wasn't.
That again, was merely a relapse
into the -er-human point of view,
for which l was not responsible"
I'm sure | wasn't"
Excuse me. You twisted a wrap
round your shoulders so that you
looked well, if | were speaking from
an ordinary point of view, | should
say bewitching."
II don't want to talk about it,"
"You have such big, deep eyes"
"My appearance has nothing to do
with the matter"
at has a great deal to do with it
from some points of view"
You have no business to take such
points of view. We agreed not to
| be-foolish."
you make it impossible for me to
keep the agreement" | groaned. "If
| you really wanted me to-"
"Of course | do" She doesn't.
you would make yourself look as
unattractlve as possible"
mo woman would do that" She
| spoke with intense conviction.
Then you must not blame me for
any weaknesses called forth by wo-
mans natural vanity and perversity
! From my point of view"
| Your DOint of view is absolutely