nostrils.

'All right. Let me know the result. It's time to go in.'

Horace sat alone for a minute or two, his legs at full length, his
feet crossed, and the upper part of his body bent forward. He smiled
to himself, a smile of singular fatuity, and began to hum a popular
tune.





CHAPTER 5





When they assembled at table, Mr. Lord had recovered his moderate
cheerfulness. Essentially, he was anything but ill-tempered; Horace
and Nancy were far from regarding him with that resentful bitterness
which is produced in the victims of a really harsh parent. Ten years
ago, as they well remembered, anger was a rare thing in his
behaviour to them, and kindness the rule. Affectionate he had never
shown himself; reserve and austerity had always distinguished him.
Even now-a-days, it was generally safe to anticipate mildness from
him at the evening meal. In the matter of eating and drinking his
prudence notably contradicted his precepts. He loved strong meats,
dishes highly flavoured, and partook of them without moderation. At