He could not help feeling that there were unreasoning and unreasonable activities going on in Alexander all the while; that even after dinner, when most men achieve a decent impersonality, Bartley had merely closed the door of the engine-room and come up for an airing.

The machinery itself was still pounding on.
Bartley's abstraction and Wilson's reflections were cut short by a rustle at the door, and almost before they could rise Mrs.Alexander was standing by the hearth.

Alexander brought a chair for her, but she shook her head.
"No, dear, thank you.

I only came in to see whether you and Professor Wilson were quite comfortable.

I am going down to the music-room." "Why not practice here?
Wilson and I are growing very dull.