There was no one with whom I could freely converse; no one to whom I could communicate my thoughts; no one who could sympathize with my sufferings. (Typee)
"They
Converse of the Mollusca, Kings, Toad-stools and other
Matter"
(Mardi)
Have tried to read, but found it hard work. However, there
are some very pleasant passengers on board, with whom to converse. (1849 Journal)
More familiarly to consort, men
of a practical turn must sympathetically converse, and upon topics of real life. (“John Marr” prose headnote)
and here as a noun, but again the theme of wanting (though usually not getting) a good conversation:
In this
line of reading he found confirmation of his own more reasoned
thoughts--confirmation which he had vainly sought in social converse…. (BillyBudd)
Oh reader! "gentle" or not,—I care not a whit,—so you are honest—I will tell you a secret. I write not to be read, and I swear never even to transcribe for your benefit, unless I change my mind. All I want is a good listener; I want to converse with you; and if you are absolutely dumb, why I will sometimes answer for you.
(opening lines of first installment of "Scenes Beyond the Western Border," Southern Literary Messenger vol. 17, June 1851, 372; and Scenes and Adventures in the Army, Part II.)
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