It gave me the disconcerting sensation of being detected and convicted at one blow.

Bob Evers failed me as a topic, and I stood like the fool I felt.
"I am sure you ought not to stand about so much, Captain Clephane." Mrs.Lascelles was smiling faintly as I prepared to take her hint.
"Doesn't it really do you any harm ?" she inquired in time to detain me.
"No, just the opposite.

I am ordered to take all the exercise I can." "Even walking ?" "Even hobbling, Mrs.Lascelles, if I don't overdo it." She sat some moments in thought.

I guessed what she was thinking, and I was right.
"There are some lovely walks quite near, Captain Clephane.

But you have to climb a little, either going or coming." "I could climb a little," said I, making up my mind.