never turned away without having paid a visit. The difference simply came to be that the visit was to Brooksmith. It took place in the hall, at the familiar foot of the stairs, and we didn’t sit down – at least Brooksmith didn’t; moreover it was devoted wholly to one topic and always had the air of being already over – beginning, as it were, at the end. But it was always interesting – it always gave me something to think about. It is true that the subject of my meditation was ever the same – ever ‘It’s all very well, but what will become of Brooksmith?’ Even my private answer to this question left me still unsatisfied. No doubt Mr. Offord would provide for him, but what would he provide? that was the gre
