"I am a coward, Mathews--but I will go."
We looked into each other's eyes, and I repented.
"No, old friend. I ought to go and I will go. By Jove, I will."
"So be it," said the vicar.
I had played with my luncheon, to the concern of my man, who regarded me
anxiously.
"Are you not well, sir?" he asked.
"Quite well," I replied, icily, with a remark about bad cooking, and
careless service, and strode towards the station.
I paced the platform moodily twenty minutes before the advertised
arrival of the train.