WE were sitting at dinner one evening when the priest, who had been
talkative, seemed to fall into a painful train of thought that silenced
him. He grew more and more ill at ease, and was obviously relieved when
I threw my cigarette away and he was able to propose a move to the next
room. Presently his distress seemed to pass; and then, as we sat near
the fireplace, he explained himself.
“I must ask your pardon,” he said, “but somehow I fell into a very
dreadful train of thought. It was suggested to me, I think, by the red
lamp on the table and the evening light through the windows, and the
silver and glass. (You know the power of association!) I went through
one of the most fearful moments of my life under just those
circumstances.”