As though making conversation, he asked: "You care for cards yourself ?" I told him truthfully I did not know the difference between a club and a spade and had no curiosity to learn.

At this, when he found he had been wasting time on me, I expected him to show some sign of annoyance, even of irritation, but his disappointment struck far deeper.

As though I had hurt him physically, he shut his eyes, and when again he opened them I saw in them distress.

For the moment I believe of my presence he was utterly unconscious.

His hands lay idle upon the table; like a man facing a crisis, he stared before him.