At least I could take refuge in my work at the office.
I had the place to myself for quite half an hour, when Hawkesbury arrived.
"Well, Batchelor," said he, "you are industrious.

I thought I should be first to-day, but you are before me.

Where's your friend Smith ?" "I don't know," I said, hurriedly.
"I'm afraid," said Hawkesbury, with his sweet smile, "you and Smith haven't been getting on well lately.

I noticed yesterday you never spoke to one another." "I'm not obliged to speak to him," I growled.
"Certainly not.

In fact I think it's very kind indeed of you to make him your friend under the circumstances." Of course I knew what these last words meant.