Major Kent felt uncomfortable; then, as the preacher worked himself up, resentful.

Finally, he was cowed.

Meldon seized the psychological moment and closed his discourse with a quotation from the poetry of Dr.Watts.

He made a remarkably apposite citation of the well-known lines which exonerate dogs, bears, and lions from any blame when they bark, bite, growl, or fight, and emphasised the entirely different position of the human race.
Major Kent, bruised by the vigour of his friend's eloquence, accosted Miss King in the church porch after service; apologised for not having formally called on her; and invited her to go yachting with him next day in the _Spindrift_.

Miss King accepted the invitation, and then, worked up perhaps to an unusual pitch of friendliness by the sermon, asked the Major to go back to Ballymoy House with her for luncheon.
Meldon appeared from the door of the vestry room and urged the Major to accept the invitation.
"As I expected," he said, "Simpkins wasn't in church .-- How do you do, Miss King?
I'm glad you and the Major have made friends.