Soames doggedly let the spring come--no easy task for one conscious that time was flying, his birds in the bush no nearer the hand, no issue from the web anywhere visible. Mr. Polteed reported nothing, except that his watch went on--costing a lot of money. Val and his cousin were gone to the war, whence came news more favourable; Dartie was behaving himself so far; James had retained his health; business prospered almost terribly--there was nothing to worry Soames except that he was 'held up,' could make no step in any direction.
He did not exactly avoid Soho, for he could not afford to let them think that he had 'piped off,' as James would have put it--he might want to 'pipe on' again at any minute. But he had to be so restrained and cautious that he would often pass the door of the Rest
