The Man in Possession — page 239: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

234 THE MAN IN POSSESSION. ‘‘Something gone wrong?” he questioned. The young man coloured. ‘©What makes you think so?” “The lack of enthusiasm. The sort of change that came over you when you talked of ‘exploring.’ A young fellow to whom the gods have been as kind as they’ve been to you doesn't rush off to foreign lands and the society of savages, unless—shall I put it frankly ?—well, unless a woman sends him.” Rivers was silent. ‘‘T knew a young fellow, once, he was very like you... you reminded me of him the moment I saw you,” continued Colonel Lawrence. ‘‘ He had very fair prospects, was hopeful, enthusiastic, believed in life as one unending vista of delights. ... But the end came for all that. It always does. He—he’s very much altered now.” He paused, then added abruptly, ‘‘ She—married some one else.” ‘“Yes?” queried Tom, as he lighted a cigarette. ‘‘I suppose I might echo your phrase, ‘She always does.’” ‘‘ Has it happened, then ?” ‘No, but itis to happen. I’m not sure that anti- cipation isn’t as bad as certainty.” ‘(Of course, there’s no use in saying the expe- rience isn’t a new one. We’ve all got to learn it soon or late. It takes different forms, but the result is the same.” ‘‘No,” said Rivers. ‘*There’s no use and no con- solation in saying that. Ifaman shows you where his leg was amputated and assures you he never COMicloe (Sri C(O)