diligently and patiently for the better part of two hours, with a result less creditable to his workmanship than to a nature integrally sunny and prone to see
the bright side of things. Whitaker himself, examining the finished product with
a prejudiced eye, was fain to concede its crudity. It was not pretty, but he believed fatuously in its efficiency.
His other task was purely one of self-examination. Since afternoon he had found
reason gravely to doubt the stability of his emotional poise. He had of late been
in the habit of regarding himself as one whose mind retained no illusions; a bit
prematurely aged, perhaps, but wise with a wisdom beyond his years; no
misogynist, but comfortably woman-proof; a settled body and a sedate,
contemplating with an indulgent smile the futile anti
