It isn't generous of you not to listen." The yellow dog, disturbed in his slumbers, shook himself, and regarding them with an air of humble sympathy turned and walked away discreetly into the shadow.

The fisher folk on the jetty still sang their mournful chorus.
"Sit down again." Septimus yielded.

"But why give yourself pain ?" he asked gently.
"To ease my heart.

The knife does good.

Yes, I know I've been worthless.
But I'm not as bad as that.