With friends, one is well; but at home, one is better," he answered, and went into his study.

The study was slowly lit up as the candle was brought in.

The familiar details came out: the stag's horns, the bookshelves, the looking-glass, the stove with its ventilator, which had long wanted mending, his father's sofa, a large table, on the table an open book, a broken ash tray, a manuscript book with his handwriting.