Then he turned to Howard, who stood watching him, uncertain what to do or say, and said, with an air of command: "Not a word.

It is nothing." Then he linked his arm in Howard's and led him into the billiard-room.
"Table all right, Stafford ?" "First-rate, sir," replied Stafford.

"You and Mr.Howard play a hundred." "No, no," said Sir Stephen.

"You and Howard.

I should enjoy looking on." "We'll have a pool," said Stafford, taking the balls from the cabinet.
Howard watched Sir Stephen as he played his first shot: his hand was perfectly steady, and he soon showed that he was a first-rate player.
"That was a good shot," said Stafford, with a touch of pride in his voice.