Alec's mind assumed the cautious attitude of a schoolboy whispering "_Cave_".

He supposed that the other hoped now to achieve by gentleness what he had been unable to achieve by storm.
"Of course," he answered, "I won't set up here if you'd rather be quit of me.

I'll go as far as British Columbia, if that's necessary to make you comfortable." "By that I understand that in these ten months your mind has not altered." "No; but as I say, I won't bother you." "Have you reconsidered the question, or have you stuck to it because you said you would ?" "I have reconsidered it." "You feel quite satisfied that, as far as you are concerned, this is the right thing to do ?" "Yes." "Well then, as far as I am concerned, I don't want to drive you to the other side of the continent.

You can take advantage of the opening here if you want to." Alec looked down at the things on the table.

He felt the embarrassment of detecting his brother in some private religious exercise; nothing, he thought, but an excess of self-denial could have brought this about; yet he was gratified.
"Look here! You'd better not say that--I might take you at your word." "Consider that settled.