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:
One may fall but he falls by himself—
Falls by himself with himself to blame;
One may attain and to him is the pelf.
Loot of the city in Gold or Fame:
Plunder of earth shall be all his own
Who travels the fastest and travels alone.
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
