punctual ['pnktjl], engagement [n'emnt], reluctantly [r'lktntl]
Mr. Cust drew himself up. "It is necessary, Mrs. Marbury. I have always been punctual in my — engagements. People must have — must have confidence in you! When I have undertaken to do a thing, I carry it through. It is the only way to get on in — in — business."
"But if you're ill?"
"I am not ill, Mrs. Marbury. Just a little worried over various personal matters. I slept badly. I am really quite all right."
His manner was so firm that Mrs. Marbury gathered up the breakfast things and reluctantly left the room.
Mr. Cust dragged out a suitcase from under the bed
He just glanced at the railway guide on the table
Setting it down in the hall
collar ['kl], cardboard ['k:db:d], concern [kn's:n]
Mr. Cust dragged out a suitcase from under the bed and began to pack. Pyjamas, spongebag, spare collar, leather slippers. Then unlocking a cupboard, he transferred a dozen or so flattish cardboard boxes about ten inches by seven from a shelf to the suitcase.
He just glanced at the railway guide on the table and then left the room, suitcase in hand.
Setting it down in the hall, he put on his hat and overcoat. As he did so he sighed deeply, so deeply that the girl who came out from a room at the side looked at him in concern.
"Anything the matter, Mr. Cust
"Nothing, Miss Lily
"You were sighing so
Mr. Cust said abruptly
"Well
"Quite," said Mr. Cust
"Well, goodbye, Miss Lily
sighing ['sa], premonition [pri:m'nn], goodbye [d'ba]
"Anything the matter, Mr. Cust?"
"Nothing, Miss Lily."
"You were sighing so!"
Mr. Cust said abruptly: "Are you at all subject to premonitions, Miss Lily? To presentiments?''
"Well, I don't know that I am, really … Of course, there are days when you just feel everything's going wrong, and days when you feel everything's going right."
"Quite," said Mr. Cust. He sighed again.
"Well, goodbye, Miss Lily. Goodbye. I'm sure you've been very kind to me always here."