"Not at all.

Don't be silly, Maria." Miss Sherborne clasped her hands.

"_I_ know!" she exclaimed in mock rapture; "Mr.Pearson is in love!" This suggestion was received with applause and hilarity.

Pearson pushed back his chair and rose.
"I'm much obliged for this outburst of sympathy," he observed, dryly.
"But, as I say, I'm perfectly well, and the other diagnoses are too flattering to be true.

Good morning." Back in his room he seated himself at his desk, took the manuscript of his novel from the drawer, and sat moodily staring at it.