In a strong gale the foundations begin to work, and in the chafing the rock gets the worst of it." "What about concrete ?" "You might fill up the sockets with concrete; but I doubt, sir, if the case would hold for any time.

The rock is a mere shell in places, especially on the north-western side." "H'm.

You were at Oxford for a time, were you not ?" "Yes, sir," Taffy answered, wondering.
"I've heard about you.

Where do you live ?" Taffy pointed to the last of a line of three whitewashed cottages behind the light-house.
"Alone ?" "No, sir; with my mother and my grandmother.

She is an invalid." "I wonder if your mother would be kind enough to offer me a cup of tea ?" In the small kitchen, on the walls of which, and even on the dresser, Taffy's books fought for room with Humility's plates and tin-ware, the Chief Engineer proved to be a most courteous old gentleman.
Towards Humility he bore himself with an antique politeness which flattered her considerably.