She looked at her son with a half-smile of wonder, but only said 'Indeed ?' 'I had made his acquaintance before his coming to Wanley,' Hubert explained.
His mother just bent her head, acquiescent.

And with that their conversation on the subject ended.

But Hubert received a tender kiss on his cheek when he set forth in the afternoon.
To one entering the valley after nightfall the situation of the much-discussed New Wanley could no longer be a source of doubt.

Two blast-furnaces sent up their flare and lit luridly the devastated scene.
Having glanced in that direction Hubert did his best to keep his eyes averted during the remainder of the walk.

He was surprised to see a short passenger train rush by on the private line connecting the works with Agworth station; it was taking away certain visitors who had lingered in New Wanley after the lecture.