The dead man lying upstairs was not more still.
Had Barrant known her better he would have had matter for surprise and conjecture in the fact that her patience cards stood untouched in their shabby leather case, but knowing nothing of that he fell to wondering what her husband had seen in such a queer little creature to marry her.

The consideration of that question led him to the conclusion that perhaps Thalassa had been impelled to his choice by the realization that she was as good-looking a wife as he could afford.

Barrant reflected that women resembled horses in value.

The mettlesome showy ones were bred to display their paces for rich men only.

Serviceable hacks, warranted to work a lifetime, could not be expected to be ornamental as well as useful.