As they walked, Shelby reached down and gently took Alan's hand to hold. They warmly exchanged a smile with each other just before Shelby looked down and Alan blushed. Whenever she was with Alan he made her feel like an innocent girl again.

[T]here is no such mine, / None; but a gulf of ruin, swallowing gold, not making.

Dart not scornful glances from those eyes.

Finally came Mr. Banhart, who was happily complicated: he served as comic relief, loud contrast, an embodiment of the music’s stereotypes and an overturner of them.