She was pale and her hand trembled a little, but no one could have guessed that she was suffering any strong emotion.

Mr.Juxon looked towards the window, and the grey light of the winter's afternoon fell coldly upon his square sunburned face and carefully trimmed beard.

He was silent for a moment, and then, still looking away from his companion, he continued in a less hesitating tone.
"The fact is, I have been thinking a great deal of late," he said, "and it has struck me that your friendship has grown to be the most important thing in my life." He paused again and turned his hat round upon his knee.

Still Mrs.Goddard said nothing, and as he did not look at her he did not perceive that she was unnaturally agitated.
"I have told you what my life has been," he continued presently.

"I have been a sailor.