A CLASP OF HANDS Grail approached the desk with pleasure.

Egremont observed it, and met his trusty auditor with the eye-smile which made his face so agreeable.
'I am sorry to see that Mr.Ackroyd no longer sits by you,' he began.
'Has he deserted us ?' Gilbert hesitated, but spoke at length with his natural directness.
'I'm afraid so, sir.' 'He has lost his interest in the subject ?' 'It's not exactly the bent of his mind.

He only came at my persuasion to begin with.

He takes more to science than literature.' 'Ah, I should have thought that.

But I wish he could have still spared me the two hours a week.