Here he would sit sometimes till sundown, composed in body and mind; dreaming, perhaps, over the rough pathway of his earlier life, and facilitating the process by exhaling long wreaths of thinnest smoke-layers from his mouth, and ever and anon crossing and recrossing his legs.
On the present afternoon it was really very hot.

Professor Valeyon, occupying his usual position, had nearly finished his second pipe.

He had thrown off the light linen duster he usually wore, and sat with his waistcoat open, displaying a somewhat rumpled, but very clean white shirt-bosom; and his sturdy old neck was swathed in the white necktie which was the only visible relic of his ministerial career.

He had covered his bald head with a handkerchief, for the double purpose of keeping away the flies, and creating a cooling current of air.

One of his down-trodden slippers had dropped off, and lay sole-upward on the floor.