Why should he do or say what might disturb their present happy relations?
It was his sister's business, not his; and as to Hector Spurling, he must take his chance as other men did.

It was obviously best not to move one way or the other in the matter.
But to Robert himself, his work and his surroundings were becoming more and more irksome.

His joy in his art had become less keen since he had known Raffles Haw.

It seemed so hard to toll and slave to earn such a trifling sum, when money could really be had for the asking.

It was true that he had asked for none, but large sums were for ever passing through his hands for those who were needy, and if he were needy himself his friend would surely not grudge it to him.