Sublime

‘I didn’t get you anything,’ said Nathan, with the good cheer of a sinner already absolved, ‘I forgot.’ Then Ronald Macaulay came in with holiness in the pleats of his trousers. The atmosphere thinned, as if the room had been elevated nearer heaven.

Quite a strange man, thought James, watching him go – but what a relief to discover he still contained the capacity to be taken by surprise.

proved himself in all respects a worthy minister at the sacred altar of friendship.’