I left my portmanteau at the station, and walked through the city till I reached Gay Street.

Like most of the streets of Bath, it was broad, and had on either hand dull, well-built, dark grey, eminently respectable, unutterably dreary-looking houses.

I rang, and the door was opened to me by a most quaint old woman, evidently the landlady.

An odour of curry pervaded the passage, and became more oppressive as the door of the sitting-room was opened, and I was ushered in upon the Major and his son, who had just finished lunch.
"Hullo!" cried Derrick, springing up, his face full of delight which touched me, while at the same time it filled me with envy.
Even the Major thought fit to give me a hearty welcome.
"Glad to see you again," he said pleasantly enough.

"It's a relief to have a fresh face to look at.