His eyes followed Piers as long as he was in sight, and then with that look in them as of one who watches from afar turned contemplatively towards the sea.

After a little he took his hat off and suffered the morning-breeze to blow across his forehead.

He had the serene brow of a child, though the hair above it was broadly streaked with grey.
He was still sitting thus when there came the sound of jerky footsteps on the terrace behind him and an irascible voice addressed him with scarcely concealed impatience.
"Excuse me! I saw you talking to my grandson just now.

Do you know where the young fool is gone to ?" Crowther turned in his solid, imperturbable fashion, looked at the speaker, and got to his feet.
"I can," he said, with a smile.

"He has gone to procure drinks in my honour.