Page:Gissing - The Nether World, vol. II, 1889.djvu/293

 serious—“I wish you’d found a pleasanter place. With the winter coming on, you see”

Sidney broke in with splenetic perversity.

“I don’t know that I shall pass the winter here. My arrangements are all temporary—all of them.”

After glancing at him the other crossed his legs and seemed to dispose himself for a stay of some duration.

“You didn’t turn up the other night—in Hanover Street.”

“No.”

“I was there. We talked about you. My father has a notion you haven’t been quite well lately. I dare say you’re worrying a little, eh?”

Sidney remained standing by the fireplace, turned so that his face was in shadow.

“Worry? Oh, I don’t know,” he replied, idly.

“Well, I’m worried a good deal, Sidney, and that’s the fact.”

“What about?”