Maybe we may gain from this prolonged contact, for the matter of that, something more flexible than an abstract definition, —a practical, intimate acquaintance, such as springs from a long companionship.

也许， 从这种长期接触中，我们可以获得比抽象定义更灵活的东西——一种实际的、亲密的熟人，就像长期的陪伴一样。