midday
In his heart the agitated man believed his sister to be a misleading guide . He dared not say it , he thought it , and previous to his African travel through the Dictionary he had thought his sister infallible on these points . He dared not say it , because he knew no one else before whom he could practice , and as it was confidence that he chiefly wanted -- above all things , confidence and confidence comes of practice , he preferred the going on with his practice to an absolute certainty as to correctness . At midday came another card from Mr. Van Diemen Smith bearing the superscription : alias Phil R. `` Can it be possible , '' Tinman asked his sister , `` that Philip Ribstone has had the audacity to return to this country ? I think , '' he added , `` I am right in treating whoever sends me this card as a counterfeit . '' Martha 's advice was , that he should take no notice of the card . `` I am seriously engaged , '' said Tinman .