.

.

You know Mr.Pepper ?" A little man who was bent as some trees are by a gale on one side of them had slipped in.

Nodding to Mr.Ambrose, he shook hands with Helen.
"Draughts," he said, erecting the collar of his coat.
"You are still rheumatic ?" asked Helen.

Her voice was low and seductive, though she spoke absently enough, the sight of town and river being still present to her mind.
"Once rheumatic, always rheumatic, I fear," he replied.