"And I will do all I can to keep my mind off accusing him, until I know.

But when I think of it, I see red." Mr.Taynton patted his shoulder affectionately.
"I should have thought that you had got something to think about, which would make it easy for you to prevent your thoughts straying elsewhere," he said.
"I shall need all the distractions I can get," said Morris rather grimly.
* * * * * Morris walked quickly back along the sea front toward Sussex Square, and remembered as he went that he had not yet bought any gift for his mother on her birthday.

There was something, too, which she had casually said a day or two ago that she wanted, what was it?
Ah, yes, a new blotting-book for her writing-table in the drawing-room.

The shop she habitually dealt at for such things, a branch of Asprey's, was only a few yards farther on, and he turned in to make inquiries as to whether she had ordered it.
It appeared that she had been in that very morning, but the parcel had not been sent yet.

So Morris, taking the responsibility on himself, counterordered the plain red morocco book she had chosen, and chose another, with fine silver scrollwork at the corners.