"My whole life wrecked," continued Lightbody, without hearing him, "nothing left—not the slightest, meanest thing left!"
"Dear boy, you must go away."
"Only last night she was sitting here, and I there, reading a book." He stopped and put forth his hand. "This book!"
"Jack, you must go away for a while."
"What?"
"Go away!"
"Oh, yes, yes. I suppose so. I don't care."
Leaning against the desk, he gazed down at the rug, mentally and physically inert.
De Gollyer, returning to his nature, said presently: "I say, dear old fellow, it's awfully delicate, but I should like to be frank, from the shoulder—out and out, do you mind?"
"What? No."