Jim gulped down a drink, standing at the sideboard.

He was a tall, fine, soldierly figure, and his face, with its little sandy moustache and bald forehead, was odd.

Aaron Sisson sat watching him, unconsciously.
"Hello you!" said Jim.

"Have one ?" Aaron shook his head, and Jim did not press him.

It saved the drinks.
"You believe in love, don't you ?" said Jim, sitting down near Aaron, and grinning at him.
"Love!" said Aaron.
"LOVE! he says," mocked Jim, grinning at the company.
"What about it, then ?" asked Aaron.
"It's life! Love is life," said Jim fiercely.
"It's a vice, like drink," said Lilly.
"Eh?
A vice!" said Jim.