Where are they ?" "In the west wing of your house--preparing to remain indefinitely." "Dear, dear!" exclaimed Malcourt.

"What on earth shall we do ?" And he peered sideways at Portlaw with his tongue in his cheek.
"Do?
_I_ don't know.

Why the devil did you suggest that they stop at your house ?" "Because, William, curious as it may seem, I had a sort of weak-minded curiosity to see my sister once more." He walked over to the table, took a cigarette and lighted it, then stood regarding the burning match in his fingers.

"She's the last of the family; I'll probably never see her again--" "She appears to be in excellent health," remarked Portlaw viciously.
"So am I; but--" He shrugged and tossed the embers of the match onto the hearth.
"But what ?" "Well, I'm going to take a vacation pretty soon--a sort of voyage, and a devilish long one, William.

That's why I wanted to see her again." "You mean to tell me you are going away ?" demanded the other indignantly.
Malcourt laughed.