"He comes and goes as the whim seizes him, and I very seldom know where he is.

One week it is whiting and another codling.

Lately he seems to have shown some partiality for London life." Richard's eyes were wide open now.
"You mean to say that he is still not doing anything ?" "Nothing whatever." "But what excuse does he give--or rather I should say reason ?" Richard persisted.
"He says that he is too old for a ship, and he won't work in an office," Philippa replied.

"That is what he says.

His point of view is so impossible that I can not even discuss it with him." "It's the rummest go I ever came across," Richard remarked reminiscently.