The skittles lay here and there, as if the last player, weary of the game, had been tossing them about at haphazard.

Here the Earl paused, looked around him, and began in a low voice.
"My friend, I regret to perceive that you begin to act without instructions." "In what way ?" "You propose to return at once to Harwich with this son of yours." "Certainly, my lord.

It appears to me that I have deserved a holiday by this week's work." "You shall take one; but not at Harwich just yet." "And why not at Harwich ?" "For two reasons.

In the first place you do no good, but harm, in returning thither at this moment.

Understand that I am only asking you to defer the visit for a week or two.