Now Eglington leaned against the table, poured some alcohol on his fingers to cleanse the acid from them, and wiped them with a piece of linen, while he looked inquiringly at Soolsby.

Still, Soolsby did not speak.

Eglington lit a cigarette, and took away the shade from his eyes.
"Well, now, what is your experiment ?" he asked, "and why bring it here?
Didn't you know the way to the stables or the scullery ?" "I knew my way better here," answered Soolsby, steadying himself.
"Ah, you've been here often ?" asked Eglington nonchalantly, yet feeling for the cause of this midnight visit.
"It is fifteen years since I was here, my lord.

Then I came to see the Earl of Eglington." "And so history repeats itself every fifteen years! You came to see the Earl of Eglington then; you come to see the Earl of Eglington again--after fifteen years!" "I come to speak with him that's called the Earl of Eglington." Eglington's eyes half closed, as though the light hurt them.

"That sounds communistic, or is it pure Quakerism?
I believe they used to call my father Friend Robert till he backslided.