“I don't understand you now, sir.”
“Look here: I am very fond of a well-bound book; I should like all my new books bound in levant morocco; but I don't care about it; I could do well enough without any binding at all.”
“Of course you could, sir! and so could I, or any man that cared for the books themselves.”
“Very well! I don't care about religion much, but I could not live without my Father in heaven. I don't believe anybody can live without him.”
“I see,” said Richard.
He thought he saw, but he did not see, and could not help smiling in his heart as he said to himself, “I have lived a good many years without him!”
Wingfold saw the shadow of the smile, and blamed himself for having spoken too soon.
“When do you go?” he asked.
“I think I shall go to-morrow. I am at my grandfather's.”
“If I can be of use to you, let me know.”