“It grows on one. You’ll like it better still yet. Alymer and I have always rather laughed at Quin, and regarded him as a crank. But he’s not. It’s just that he loves humanity, and he gets quite close up to the core of it down there, even if it is half-smothered in vice and dirt. I don’t believe he’ll ever take orders. It’s partly because he’s not a clergyman, and they know it, he’s such a success. Tonight, for instance, there was a big bullying chap trying to spoil all the fun for the men who wanted to smoke peacefully and look at the books. Quin remonstrated, and he turned round and swore violently at him. To my surprise, Quin, if anything, outdid him. I wouldn’t have believed Quin could swear like that. I’m sure I couldn’t myself. The chap just looked at him, and tried another oath or two doubtfully. And Quin said: “Go on if you like, I’m not nearly through yet. I can’t be a blank, blank, blank bully, and I don’t want to be—it’s nothing to be proud of; but I’m as much of a man as you any day.” “The other chaps laughed then, and the brute slunk off to the other side of the room.” “I asked Quin about it later, and he said: “‘Oh well, you’ve got to talk to them in their own language, or they don’t listen. That’s the best of not being a clergyman. Of course one couldn’t very well curse and swear then. But it’s the way to manage them. That chap will come to heel in an evening or two, and be reasonably quiet.’ “You hit the right note straight off, Hal. Quin was awfully pleased. Talk to them on their own level first, and presently you’ll be getting them struggling up to yours almost without knowing it. He’s frightfully keen for you to go again.” “I’m going every Wednesday,” she said, “and other times as well.” They parted at the door, and Hal went in alone. The moment she stood in the sitting-room she knew that something had happened. Dudley was sitting in his big chair by the fire, holding neither book nor paper, gazing silently at the flames. At the table she stood still. “What’s the matter, Dudley?… What has happened?” There were a few moments’ silence, then, scarcely looking round, he replied: “She’s gone. Run away with another man.” “Gone!…” she echoed. “Gone… with another man! … Do you mean Doris?” “Yes. She was married at a Registry Office this morning. A messenger boy took the letter up this evening, after they had left for the Continent.” Hal sat down. It was so violently sudden she felt stunned. After a moment Dudley got up and moved aimlessly about the room. “It’s no use attempting to say anything, Hal. There’s nothing to say. Of course I know you’re sorry, and all that, but I’d rather you didn’t say it. You never liked the engagement, and you never liked Doris. Probably you were justified, but it doesn’t make it any easier for me now.” “Who has she gone with?” “I believe he’s a South African millionaire.” “Ah!—” “You had heard of him?…” sharply.