Quotation from: The Secret Agent

Written by: Joseph Conrad


He assured her curtly that no promises on his part were necessary, but he
took good care not to contradict her in set terms, because he had had
much to do with excited women, and he was inclined in general to let his
experience guide his conduct in preference to applying his sagacity to
each special case. His sagacity in this case was busy in other
directions. Women's words fell into water, but the shortcomings of time-
tables remained. The insular nature of Great Britain obtruded itself
upon his notice in an odious form. "Might just as well be put under lock
and key every night," he thought irritably, as nonplussed as though he
had a wall to scale with the woman on his back. Suddenly he slapped his
forehead. He had by dint of cudgelling his brains just thought of the
Southampton--St Malo service. The boat left about midnight. There was a
train at 10.30. He became cheery and ready to act.

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