Meldon, who was most anxious to restore him to a condition of vigour, pressed a tomato on him; but the result was unfortunate.

After eating half of it, Simpkins turned his back even on the biscuit tin.

He refused to smoke after lunch, although the Major and Meldon lit their pipes in an encouraging way quite close to him, and Miss King appeared to find pleasure in a cigarette.

The situation was not promising; but Meldon was a man of unquenchable hope.

Seizing a moment when Miss King was looking in another direction, he winked violently at Major Kent.