For the rest of that day, the persons in the stationer's employment had
a hard time of it with their master in the shop. Something had upset
Old Ronald. He ordered the shutters to be put up earlier that evening
than usual. Instead of going to his club (at the tavern round the
corner), he took a long walk in the lonely and lifeless streets of the
City by night. There was no disguising it from himself; his wife's
behaviour at parting had made him uneasy. He naturally swore at her for
taking that liberty, while he lay awake alone in his bed. "Damn the
woman! What does she mean?" The cry of the soul utters itself in
various forms of expression. That was the cry of Old Ronald's soul,
literally translated.

III

The next morning brought him a letter from Ramsgate.

"I write immediately to tell you of our safe arrival. We have found
comfortable lodgings (as the address at the head of this letter will
inform you) in Albion Place. I thank you, and Emma desires to thank you
also, for your kindness in providing us with ample means for taking our
little trip. It is beautiful weather today; the sea is calm, and the
pleasure-boats are out. We do not of course expect to see you here. But
if you do, by any chance, overcome your objection to moving out of
London, I have a little request to make. Please let me hear of your
visit beforehand--so that I may not omit all needful preparations. I
know you dislike being troubled with letters (except on business), so I
will not write too frequently. Be so good as to take no news for good
news, in the intervals. When you have a few minutes to spare, you will
write, I hope, and tell me how you and the shop are going on. Emma