IN THE GARDEN AT DUSK When Atlee quitted Walpole's room, he was far too full of doubt and speculation to wish to join the company in the drawing-room.

He had need of time to collect his thoughts, too, and arrange his plans.

This sudden departure of his would, he well knew, displease Kearney.

It would savour of a degree of impertinence, in treating their hospitality so cavalierly, that Dick was certain to resent, and not less certain to attribute to a tuft-hunting weakness on Atlee's part of which he had frequently declared he detected signs in Joe's character.
'Be it so.

I'll only say, you'll not see me cultivate "swells" for the pleasure of their society, or even the charms of their cookery.