“You seem to be fond of reading,” remarked Wolf to his host, as he sat down on the only chair that was not in use.

“Mostly stories,” responded T. E. Valley, turning his head round with a whimsical grimace, as he fumbled at the lock of a small cupboard hanging against the wall. “Mostly stories,” he repeated. Having cleared a chair and the fragment of a table, he sat down opposite his guest with a bottle of brandy between them and two glasses.

“ You are not unhappy, then,” remarked Wolf, trying to overcome his discomfort. “Books and brandy⁠ ⁠… and a fire for chilly days.⁠ ⁠… You might be much worse off than you are, Vicar⁠ ⁠… much worse off.”