By the time you've disentangled her twice from the mainsheet, with the Major swearing all the time, and been obliged to haul her up to windward whenever the boat goes about and she gets left with her head down on the lee side, you get to feel as if you'd known her intimately for years.

By the way, what time do you lunch ?" "Half-past one," said Simpkins.

"Will you--" "Thanks," said Meldon; "I will, if you're quite sure there's enough for two.

I'm due at Miss King's at four.

The Major's there.