Of himself he said little; the few words that came to his pen concerning the Lambeth crusade were rather lifeless.
He was being talked of meanwhile in the Tyrrells' drawing-room.

The last guests being gone, there was chat for a few minutes between the members of the family.
'Egremont isn't looking quite up to the mark,' said Mr.Tyrrell, as he stood before the fire, hands in pockets.
'I thought the same,' said his wife.

'He seems worried.

What a deplorable thing it is, to think that he will spend large sums of money on this library scheme!' Mr.Tyrrell made inarticulate noises, and at length laughed.
'He must amuse himself in his own way.' 'But after all, papa,' said Paula, whose advocacy went much by the rule of contraries, 'it must be a good thing to give people books to read.

I dare say it prevents them from going to the public-house.' 'Shouldn't wonder if it does, Paula,' he replied, with a benevolent gaze.
'Then what's your objection ?' 'I don't object to the library in particular.