In the group of men around the table no one stirred nor spoke.

They looked steadily at Magnus, who, for the moment, kept his glance fixed thoughtfully upon the table before him.

In another moment he raised his head and looked from face to face around the group.

After all, these were his neighbours, his friends, men with whom he had been upon the closest terms of association.

In a way they represented what now had come to be his world.