I went down there with Uncle Soames--ripping stables." "Ah!" murmured James profoundly.

"That house--I knew how it would be!" And he lapsed into gloomy meditation over his fish-bones.

His son's tragedy, and the deep cleavage it had caused in the Forsyte family, had still the power to draw him down into a whirlpool of doubts and misgivings.

Val, who hankered to talk of Robin Hill, because Robin Hill meant Holly, turned to Emily and said: "Was that the house built for Uncle Soames ?" And, receiving her nod, went on: "I wish you'd tell me about him, Granny.

What became of Aunt Irene?
Is she still going?
He seems awfully worked-up about something to-night." Emily laid her finger on her lips, but the word Irene had caught James' ear.
"What's that ?" he said, staying a piece of mutton close to his lips.
"Who's been seeing her?
I knew we hadn't heard the last of that." "Now, James," said Emily, "eat your dinner.