Nevertheless, he rose and offered his guest a chair, and asked him how he did.

Barker took the chair and said he was fairly well, on the way to recovery from the voyage.
"What have you been doing all day, Claudius ?" he asked.
"I have been to a place called Greenwood, to see where they had buried my uncle," answered Claudius, and relapsed into silence.
"No wonder you look so gloomy.

Whatever induced you to do such a thing ?" "I was not induced," said Claudius.

"He was my last relation in the world, and I did the only thing I could to honour his memory, which was to go and see his grave." "Yes, very proper, I am sure," replied Barker.

"If my relations would begin and die, right away, I would trot around and see their graves fast enough!" Claudius was silent.
"What on earth is the matter with you, Claudius?
Have you got a headache, or are you going to be married ?" Claudius roused himself, and offered Barker a cigar.
"There is nothing the matter," he said; "I suppose my excursion has made me a little gloomy; but I shall soon get over that.