With a view to avoiding the awkwardness of a chance meeting with any member of the Nugent family Hardy took the sea road on his way to the office the morning after the captain's return.

Common sense told him to leave matters for the present to the healing hand of Time, and to cultivate habits of self-effacement by no means agreeable to one of his temperament.
Despite himself his spirits rose as he walked.

It was an ideal spring morning, cool and sunny.

The short turf by the side of the road was fragrant under his heel, and a light wind stirred the blueness of the sea.

On the beach below two grizzled men of restful habit were endeavouring to make an old boat waterproof with red and green paint.
A long figure approaching slowly from the opposite direction broke into a pleasant smile as he drew near and quickened his pace to meet him.
"You're out early," said Hardy, as the old man stopped and turned with him.
"'Ave to be, sir," said Mr.Wilks, darkly; "out early and 'ome late, and more often than not getting my dinner out.