Page:Far from the Maddening Girls.djvu/71

 one under the shelter of my own roof-tree! Galvin prepared me a delicious little dinner, and afterwards I installed myself in my largest and most comfortable chair, with a favourite book and a pipeful of mild tobacco.

For a time I read steadily. It was Mr. Kipling’s “Story of the Gadsbys,” which ends with that marvellous “Envoi,” which I have always thought the final words on the advantages of celibacy:

I looked up and about my pleasant library, and I think my eyes were a little moist as I dwelt affectionately upon the memory of excellent Uncle Ezra and all he had thus made