He had sat at the table constraining himself to the semblance of high spirits.

Calder lit his pipe, and sat for a long while by the empty table.
Then he took his helmet and crossed the sand to Durrance's office.

He lifted the latch noiselessly; as noiselessly he opened the door, and he looked in.

Durrance was sitting at his desk with his head bowed upon his arms and all his letters unopened at his side.

Calder stepped into the room and closed the door loudly behind him.