"By the bye, talking of travelling, when is our young friend going away ?" There was not a shade of ill-humour in the question.
"The day after New Year's--I believe." "He has had a very pleasant visit." "Yes," replied Mrs.Goddard, "I hope it will do him a great deal of good." "Why?
Was he ill?
Ah--I remember, they said he had worked too hard.

It is a great mistake to work too hard, especially when one is very young." "He is very young, is not he ?" remarked Mrs.Goddard with a faint smile, remembering the many conversations she had had with him.
"Very.

Did it ever strike you that--well, that he was losing his head a little ?" "No," answered his companion innocently.

"What about ?" "Oh, nothing.

Only he has rather a peculiar temper.