He himself was intimate with very few of the younger generation.

His companions in the Admiralty work, and certain senior naval officers with whom that work had made him acquainted:--a certain intimacy, a certain real friendship had indeed grown up between him and some of them.

But something old and tired in him made the effort of bridging the gulf between himself and men in their twenties--generally speaking--too difficult.

Or he thought so.

The truth was, perhaps, as Geoffrey had expressed it to Helena, that many of the younger men who had been brought into close official or business contact with him felt a real affection for him.