He sat at his desk staring out in front of him through the window.
"Why ?" asked Hazlewood.

But Pettifer did not answer him.

He seemed not to hear the question.

He went on in the low quiet voice he had used before, rather like one talking to himself than to a companion.
"I should very much like to put a question or two to Mr.Thresk." "Then why don't you ?" exclaimed Mrs.Pettifer.

"You know him." "Yes." Mr.Hazlewood eagerly seconded his sister.