I set about it listlessly.

There remained of that time an errand for my aunt, an errand that would take me to Etchingham; something connected with her land steward.

I think the old lady had ideas of inducting me into a position that it had grown tacitly acknowledged I was to fill.

I was to go down there; to see about some alterations that were in progress; and to make arrangements for my aunt's return.

I was so tired, so dog tired, and the day still had so many weary hours to run, that I recognised instinctively that if I were to come through it sane I must tire myself more, must keep on going--until I sank.