Ensign Knightley and Other Stories by A. E. W. (Alfred Edward Woodley) Mason
page 87 of 322 (27%)
page 87 of 322 (27%)
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butler stupefied in the hall, he ran out into the road. He heard no
sound of pursuit. THE COWARD. I. "Geoffrey," said General Faversham, "look at the clock!" The hands of the clock made the acutest of angles. It was close upon midnight, and ever since nine the boy had sat at the dinner-table listening. He had not spoken a word, indeed had barely once stirred in the three hours, but had sat turning a white and fascinated face upon speaker after speaker. At his father's warning he waked with a shock from his absorption, and reluctantly stood up. "Must I go, father?" he asked. The General's three guests intervened in a chorus. The conversation was clear gain for the lad, they declared,--a first taste of powder which might stand him in good stead at a future time. So Geoffrey was allowed furlough from his bed for another half-hour, and with his face supported between his hands he continued to listen at the table. The flames of the candles were more and more blurred with a haze of tobacco smoke, the room became intolerably hot, the level of the wine grew steadily lower in the decanters, and the boy's face took a |
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