He had rejected the offer of the home life once.

Now, no doubt, it would be closed against him.

The boat that might have been his was sold long ago.
He would not go back to confess himself a fool and a failure.
Gradually his mind worked back over the conversation in the hotel with Captain Quinn.

The recollection of the latter part of it, which had meant nothing at the time, grew clear.

He felt for the letter in his pocket, and drew it out.