Could he but have been accommodated with the physical frame of a man of fifty, he had spirit enough to fill it, and become once more what he was twenty years ago, a complete man.
"Sit down, Armstrong," said he, when presently his dim eyes and ears became aware of the tutor's presence.

"There's no need to light the lamp, and you need not trouble to talk, for I should not be able to hear you." The tutor shook the eye-glass out of his eye, and seated himself at a corner of the hearth in silence.
Mr Ingleton, having thus prepared his audience, looked silently into the fire for another half-hour, until the room was dark, and all the tutor could see was a wan hand fidgeting uneasily on the arm of the chair.
Then with a weary effort the Squire turned his head and began, as if continuing a conversation.
"I have not been unobservant, Armstrong.

You came at a time when Roger needed a friend.

So far you have done well by him, and I am content with my choice of a tutor.

What contents me more is to think you are not yet tired of your charge.