The host himself was one of those very quiet men whom we usually see linked to the most active helpmates.

A great bargain also had been the excellent Axminster carpet which covered the floor; as, again, the arm-chair in which Bunting now sat forward, staring into the dull, small fire. In fact, that arm-chair had been an extravagance of Mrs. Bunting. She had wanted her husband to be comfortable after the day's work was done, and she had paid thirty-seven shillings for the chair.

Decay of public spirit, which may be considered analogous to natural death.

The pitcher had a blazing four-seamer.