In a few minutes Staniels appeared and took a seat beside me. He was out of spirits.
"What is the matter?" I asked.
He tried to smile, ruthlessly, but I saw a tear flash in his eye.
"My cursed obstinacy! I was cross to Say this morning."
He arose restlessly, and walked away. I saw that he was far from being happy, but it was a matter requiring no interference of mine.
"Who breaks—pays," I muttered, and lay flat on my back for a full hour before the rest came up.
I reached home first.
The day had been unusually hot, but a cooling breeze had sprung up as the sun set.
I entered the house, and passing up to my room met Say Spaniels, all in white, in the hall.
"Mr. Cathmor, is Eben coming?" she asked.