However，heturnedresolutelyawayfromthesubjectIhadintroducedandbegantodiscusstitlesforhisnovel。
\"It’simpossibletofindanythingnew，\"hesaid，\"absolutelyimpossible。IdeclareIshalltaketonumbers。\"
Ilaughedatthisprosaicnotion，andwewerestilldiscussingthetitlewhenwereachedhome。
\"Don’tsayanythingaboutitatlunch，\"hesaidasweentered。\"Myfatherdetestsmywriting。\"
Inoddedassentandopenedthesitting—roomdoor——astrongsmellofbrandyinstantlybecameapparent；theMajorsatinthegreenvelvetchair，whichhadbeenwheeledclosetothehearth。Hewasdrunk。