Published in Short Stories 1894 Final decision had been arrived at, the fiat had gone forth, she must be dismissed. Even Mr. Herbert, who had appeared to temporize a httle, had, at the last, even urged it, and there was no hesitation whatever in the others. To be sure, young Clay had frowned and shrugged his shoulders, as 'at a disagreeable necessity, but he had made no movement to argue against the others, and his brother had shut his thin lips tight and assumed an expression of adamantine firmness. Williams had been silent for the most part, joining in the discussion only by frowns and nods of the head when he was called upon by word or a peremptory glance from one of the other three, but he very evidently agreed with them and so words were probably unnecessary.