"I have been a brute for years and I have just realized it." The face of the other had softened.
"Oh, no, Mr.Livingstone, not that.

You have always been just--and--just;" he protested kindly.

"You have always--" -- "Been a brute," insisted Livingstone, "a blind, cursed, selfish, thoughtless--" "You are not well, Mr.Livingstone," urged Clark, looking greatly disturbed.

"Your servant, James, said you were not well this evening when I called.

I wanted to go in to see you, but he would not permit me.
He said that you had given positive orders that you would not see--" "I was not well," assented Livingstone.