As to the other antecedents, they were no concern of mine, though Mr.Bellingham seemed to think otherwise, for he resumed: "That cab business was the last straw, you know, and it finished me off, but I have been going down the hill for a long time.
I've had a lot of trouble during the last two years.

But I suppose I oughtn't to pester you with the details of my personal affairs." "Anything that bears on your present state of health is of interest to me if you don't mind telling it," I said.
"Mind!" he exclaimed.

"Did you ever meet an invalid who didn't enjoy talking about his own health?
It's the listener who minds, as a rule." "Well, the present listener doesn't," I said.
"Then," said Mr.Bellingham, "I'll treat myself to the luxury of telling you all my troubles; I don't often get the chance of a confidential grumble to a responsible man of my own class.

And I really have some excuse for railing at Fortune, as you will agree when I tell you that, a couple of years ago, I went to bed one night a gentleman of independent means and excellent prospects and woke up in the morning to find myself practically a beggar.

Not a cheerful experience that, you know, at my time of life, eh ?" "No," I agreed, "nor at any other." "And that was not all," he continued; "for, at the same moment, I lost my only brother, my dearest, kindest friend.