His eyes were steely grey and very solemn, but full of smouldering energy.
His voice was enormous and would have shaken the walls if he had not had the habit of speaking with half-closed lips.

He had not a sound tooth in his head.
A saucer full of tea and a plate which had once contained ham and eggs were on the table.

He nodded towards them and asked me if I had fed.
'Ye'll no eat onything?
Well, some would offer ye a dram, but this house is staunch teetotal.

I door ye'll have to try the nearest public if ye're thirsty.' I disclaimed any bodily wants, and produced my pipe, at which he started to fill an old clay.

'Mr Brand's your name ?' he asked in his gusty voice.