d to be something like the following:--

Which is it? Which is it?--Why, that one, there,--that young
fellow,--don't you see?--What young fellow are you two looking at? Who
is he? What is he?--Why, that is _Hopkins_, the poet.--Hopkins, the
poet! Let me see him! Let _me_ see him!--Hopkins? What! Gifted Hopkins?
etc., etc.

Gifted Hopkins did not hear these words except in fancy, but he did
unquestionably find a considerable number of eyes concentrated upon him,
which he very naturally interpreted as an evidence that he had already
begun to enjoy a foretaste of the fame of which he should hereafter have
his full allowance. Some seemed to be glancing furtively, some appeared
as if they wished to speak, and all the time the number of those looking
at him seemed to be increasing. A vision came through his fancy of
himself as standing on a platform, and having persons who wished to look
upon him and shake hands with him presented, as he had heard was the way
with great people when going about the country. But this was only a
suggestion, and by no means a serious thought, for that would have
implied infatuation.

Gifted Hopkins was quite right in believing that he attracted many eyes.
At last those of Myrtle Hazard were called to him, and she perceived
that an accident was making him unenviably conspicuous. The bow of his
rather large white neck-tie had slid round and got beneath his left ear.
A not very good-natured or well-bred young fellow had pointed out the
subject of this slight misfortune to one or two others of not much
better taste or breeding, and thus the unusual attention the youthful
poet was receiving explained itself. Myrtle no sooner saw the little
accident of which her rural friend was the victim, than she left her
place in the dance with a simple courage which did her credit. "I want
to speak to you a minute," she said. "Come into this alcove."

And the courageous young lady not only told Gifted what had happened to
him, but found a pin somehow, as women always do on a pinch, and had him
in presentable condition again almost before the bewildered young man
knew what was the matter. On reflection it occurred to him, as it has to
other provincial young persons going to great cities, that he might
perhaps have been hasty in thinking himself an object of general
curiosity as yet. There had hardly been time for his name to have become
very widely known. Still, the feeling had been pleasant for the moment,
and