I know what I'm about.' 'And let us suppose mother were to die within half a year ?' 'I should make shift to do very well.' 'You?
And please--what of Dora and me ?' 'You would write Sunday-school prizes.' Maud turned away and left him.
He knocked the dust out of the pipe he had been smoking, and again set off for a stroll along the lanes.

On his countenance was just a trace of solicitude, but for the most part he wore a thoughtful smile.

Now and then he stroked his smoothly-shaven jaws with thumb and fingers.
Occasionally he became observant of wayside details--of the colour of a maple leaf, the shape of a tall thistle, the consistency of a fungus.

At the few people who passed he looked keenly, surveying them from head to foot.
On turning, at the limit of his walk, he found himself almost face to face with two persons, who were coming along in silent companionship; their appearance interested him.

The one was a man of fifty, grizzled, hard featured, slightly bowed in the shoulders; he wore a grey felt hat with a broad brim and a decent suit of broadcloth.