He was seven-and-twenty years of age now, but he was sure to begin rubbing that mark unconsciously, if in deep thought.

Rachel resumed, her tone a covert one, as if the subject on which she was about to speak might not be breathed, even to the walls.
"Roy hinted that his son was going to foreign lands.

I did not choose to let him see that I knew anything, so remarked that I had heard he was gone to London.

'London!' he answered; 'that was only the first halting-place on the journey!'" "Did he give any hint about John ?" "Not a word," replied Rachel.

"He would not be likely to do that." "No.