Here was employment the bare thought of which, was righteous self-applause.

He took possession forthwith.

The first need of this exhausted being was companionship.

He flung himself down on the steeply sloping turf beside the motionless seated figure, and threw out a skirmishing line of gossip.
His hearer lapsed into apathy; he stared dismally seaward, and spoke only in answer to Isbister's direct questions--and not to all of those.

But he made no objection to this benevolent intrusion upon his despair.
He seemed even grateful, and when presently Isbister, feeling that his unsupported talk was losing vigour, suggested that they should reascend the steep and return towards Boscastle, alleging the view into Blackapit, he submitted quietly.