Grant even went so far as to give them a grudging professional tribute.

They held a canker of doubt, too, which it was difficult to dissect.

Their veiled threats were perplexing.

While their effect, as apart from literal significance, was fresh in his mind, he made a few notes of different interpretations.
He went to bed rather early, but could not sleep until the small hours.
Probably his rest, such as it was, would have been even more disturbed had he been able to accompany Ingerman to the Hare and Hounds Inn.
A small but select company had gathered in the bar parlor.

The two hours between eight and ten were the most important of the day to the landlord, Mr.Tomlin.It was then that he imparted and received the tit-bits of local gossip garnered earlier, the process involving a good deal of play with shining beer-handles and attractively labeled bottles.
But this was a special occasion.