They had examined the book, and the majority of them were of the opinion that there were places in it of a humorous character.

Bliss said the house had never published a book that had a suspicion like that attaching to it, and that the directors were afraid that a departure of this kind would seriously injure the house's reputation; that he was tied hand and foot, and was not permitted to carry out his contract.

One of the directors, a Mr.Drake--at least he was the remains of what had once been a Mr.Drake--invited me to take a ride with him in his buggy, and I went along.

He was a pathetic old relic, and his ways and his talk were also pathetic.

He had a delicate purpose in view and it took him some time to hearten himself sufficiently to carry it out, but at last he accomplished it.