It was a pity he made that last remark, for it put him in the wrong and needlessly annoyed Lawrence and the Major.

But an angry man has no time to weigh his words, and, as I said, poor old Derrick was very human, and when wounded too intolerably could on occasion retaliate.
The Major uttered an oath and looked in astonishment at the retreating figure.

Derrick was such an extraordinarily quiet, respectful, long-suffering son as a rule, that this outburst was startling in the extreme.

Moreover, it spoilt the game, and the old man, chafed by the result of his own ill-nature, and helpless to bring back his partner, was forced to betake himself to chess.

I left him grumbling away to Lawrence about the vanity of authors, and went out in the hope of finding Derrick.