"It will be a long while before any girl with a dowry will look at you! What women like is a bold man of action; what they despise, mere dabblers in pen and ink, writers of poisonous sensational tales such as yours! I'm quoting your own reviewers, so you needn't contradict me!" Of course no one had dreamt of contradicting; it would have been the worst possible policy.
"Shall I help you in ?" said Derrick.

"It is just dinner time." And as I walked beside them to the hotel, listening to the Major's flood of irritating words, and glancing now and then at Derrick's grave, resolute face, which successfully masked such bitter suffering, I couldn't help reflecting that here was courage infinitely more deserving of the Victoria Cross than Lawrence's impulsive rescue.

Very patiently he sat through the long dinner.

I doubt if any but an acute observer could have told that he was in trouble; and, luckily, the world in general observes hardly at all.

He endured the Major till it was time for him to take a Turkish bath, and then having two hours' freedom, climbed with me up the rock-covered hill at the back of the hotel.