The Forsyte Saga - Volume 1

"Soames did very well," he ended; "he's got his head screwed on the

right way. This won't please Jolyon. It's a bad business for that young

Bosinney; he'll go bankrupt, I shouldn't wonder," and then after a long

pause, during which he had stared disquietly into the fire, he added:

"He wasn't there--now why?"

There was a sound of footsteps. The figure of a thick-set man, with the

ruddy brown face of robust health, was seen in the back drawing-room.

The forefinger of his upraised hand was outlined against the black of

his frock coat. He spoke in a grudging voice.

"Well, James," he said, "I can't--I can't stop," and turning round, he

walked out.

It was Timothy.

James rose from his chair. "There!" he said, "there! I knew there was

something wro...." He checked himself, and was silent, staring before

him, as though he had seen a portent.