I'm all right,' said Aylmer.

'I'm never ill.

I think, Soames, I shall probably die of middle age.' He went out laughing, leaving the valet smiling coldly out of politeness.
* * * * * Soames never understood any kind of jest.

He took himself and everyone else seriously.

But he already knew perfectly well that his master had fallen in love last night, and he disapproved very strongly.