He pulled off an india-rubber band from the latest packet, and was soon deep in them, at first half ashamed, half contemptuous.

Calf love, of course! And he had been a precious fool to write such things.

Then, presently, the headlong passion of them began to affect him, to set his pulses swinging.

He fell to wondering at his own bygone facility, his own powers of expression.

How did he ever write such a style! He, who could hardly get through a note now without blots and labour.