"She was telling me about you the other day." He put his hand up to his neat black moustache to hide a smile, and met the steward's indignant gaze without flinching.
"I mean ill," said the latter, sharply.
"Oh, yes," said the other.

"Well, you get to bed now.

Good morning." He took up his hat and stick and departed.

Mr.Wilks sat for a little while over the fire, and then, rising, hobbled slowly upstairs to bed and forgot his troubles in sleep.
He slept until the afternoon, and then, raising himself in bed, listened to the sounds of stealthy sweeping in the room below.

Chairs were being moved about, and the tinkle of ornaments on the mantelpiece announced that dusting operations were in progress.