He read again, then, holding the letter behind him, closed his right hand upon his beard with thoughtful tension.

He read a third time, then returned the letter to its envelope, put it in his pocket, and sat down again to his book.
He was summoned to breakfast in ten minutes.

His mother was alone in the kitchen; she gave him his bloater and his cup of coffee, and he cut himself a solid slice of bread and butter.
'Was the letter for you ?' she asked.
He replied with a nod, and fell patiently to work on the dissection of his bony delicacy.

In five minutes Henry approached the table with a furtive glance at his elder brother.

But Richard had no remark to make.
The meal proceeded in silence.
When Richard had finished, he rose and said to his mother-- 'Have you that railway-guide I brought home a week ago ?' 'I believe I have somewhere.