Mills demanded that he should work an extra year and a half, and out of those few years that in all human probability still remained to him in this pleasant world.

Yet there was no way out! Half an hour's meditation convinced him of this, and, as was his sensible plan, when a thing was inevitable, he never either fought against it nor wasted energy in regretting it.

And he went slowly out of the office into which he had come so briskly an hour or two before.

But his face expressed no sign of disquieting emotion; he nodded kindly to Timmins, and endorsed his desire to be allowed to come and see the grandson.

If anything was on his mind, or if he was revolving some policy for the future, it did not seem to touch or sour that kindly, pleasant face..