John felt half-ashamed of himself when he ceased; it was a new thing
for him to be practising subtleties with a view to his own ends. But
had he said a word more than the truth?
I suppose it was the association of contrast that turned Sidney's
thoughts to Joseph Snowdon. At all events it was of him he was
thinking in the silence that followed. Which silence having been
broken by a tap at the door, oddly enough there stood Joseph
himself. Hewett, taken by surprise, showed embarrassment and
awkwardness; it was always hard for him to reconcile his present
subordination to Mr. Snowdon with the familiar terms on which they
had been not long ago.
'Ah, you here, Hewett!' exclaimed Joseph, in a genial tone, designed
to put the other at his ease. 'I just wanted a word with our friend.
Never mind; some other time.'
For all that, he did not seem disposed to withdraw, but stood with a
hand on the door, smiling. Sidney, having nodded to him, walked the
length of the room, his head bent and his hands behind him.
'Suppose I look in u bit later,' said Hewett. 'Or tomorrow night,
Sidney?'
'Very well, to-morrow night.'
John took his leave, and on the visitor who remained Sidney turned a
face almost of anger.
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