He shouldn't wonder if the Empire split up and went to pot.And this vision of the Empire going to pot filled a full quarter of an hour with qualms of the most serious character.He had eaten a poor lunch because of them.But it was after lunch that the real disaster to his nerves occurred.He had been dozing when he became aware of voices--low voices.Ah!they never told him anything!
Winifred's and her mother's."Monty!"That fellow Dartie--always that fellow Dartie!The voices had receded;and James had been left alone,with his ears standing up like a hare's,and fear creeping about his inwards.Why did they leave him alone?Why didn't they come and tell him?And an awful thought,which through long years had haunted him,concreted again swiftly in his brain.