William Smith said rather a good thing. The Judge had a crisp short habit of speaking.
"I like that judge," said William Smith. "He must be a merciful man. He speaks in short sentences."
At midnight Smith came to the side of Philip, and pulled out his watch. It was exactly twelve o'clock, and at that moment he had arranged that the William Smith quartz-crushing machine should be set going.
"They've commenced to dance," he said gleefully.
He referred to the stampers of his machine.
Philip, gazing at Margaret and a handsome partner, who were whirling away from him, muttered somewhat moodily: "I see them!"
William Smith glanced at Philip in surprise.
"My imagination doesn't carry me as far as yours," said William Smith; "but I daresay you are as impatient as I am."
Philip scarcely heard the words. William Smith continued:
"Mr. Hart and I are going to steal away for an hour; we shan't be gone longer. Play the host while I am absent, and if they ask for me, say I'll be back in a minute or two."