He read it through.

It was a long letter, considering its nature.

While I waited, standing by his desk--he hadn't asked me to sit down--I looked about the room.

It was much like my own study, only I think a little dustier.
Being on the third floor it was farther from the garden, consequently Walters reached there seldom.
The captain turned back and began to read the letter again.

This was decidedly embarrassing.