I tore the letter up and never answered it.

You do these things, sir, when the whole universe seems to be a stumbling-block and an offence.

Phyllis was the stumbling-block and the rest of the cosmos was the other thing.

That's why I have reason on my side when I say that, all through Phyllis Gedge, I made an ass of myself." He clutched his rude coat with both hands.

"An ass in sheep's clothing." He drew himself up, saluted, and marched out.
He marched out, the young scoundrel, with all the honours of war..