"This seems to be my darkest hour.

God grant it be only the precursor of day!" "Amen!" The solemn response of Wilkinson was involuntary.
"And so you can't help me ?" said Ellis, recovering himself, and speaking in a more cheerful voice.
"Indeed I cannot." "Well, help will come, I suppose.

There is nothing like trying.

So good morning.

Time is too precious to waste just now." Between the store of Wilkinson and that of Ellis was a refectory, where the latter often repaired for a lunch and something to drink about eleven or twelve o'clock.