A man was speaking simply, valiantly, on behalf of his friend.

It was cunningly done, with the natural tact which rarely deserts the truly honest man in his hour of extremity.

He spoke of Lewis as he had known him, at school and college and in many wild sporting expeditions in desert places, and slowly the people kindled and listened.

Then, so to speak, he kicked away the scaffolding of his erection.

He ceased to be the apologist, and became the frank eulogist.