Aby himself had a cigar in his mouth, and on the floor near the bed-foot was a plate with a cold, greasy mutton chop, Aby having endeavoured in vain to induce his father to fortify exhausted nature by eating.

The appearance of the room and the air within it would not have been pleasant to fastidious people.

But then the Molletts were not fastidious.
"You did see Sir Thomas, then ?" "Yes, I did see him.

I wish, Aby, you'd let me lie just for another hour or so.

I'd be all right then.