"A Tale of Two Cities"
by Charles Dickens

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     "Yes, sir."

     "Recall it."

     In the midst of a profound stillness, she faintly began: "When the gentleman came on board--"

     "Do you mean the prisoner?" inquired the Judge, knitting his brows.

     "Yes, my Lord."

     "Then say the prisoner."

 

     "When the prisoner came on board, he noticed that my father," turning her eyes lovingly to him as he stood beside her, "was much fatigued and in a very weak state of health. My father was so reduced that I was afraid to take him out of the air, and I had made a bed for him on the deck near the cabin steps, and I sat on the deck at his side to take care of him. There were no other passengers that night, but we four. The prisoner was so good as to beg permission to advise me how I could shelter my father from the wind and weather, better than I had done. I had not known how to do it well, not understanding how the wind would set when we were out of the harbour. He did it for me. He expressed great gentleness and kindness for my father's state, and I am sure he felt it. That was the manner of our beginning to speak together."

 
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