He was thinking deeply.

The evening darkened slowly, and a faint breeze stole in from the sea.
"Every prospect of a fine day to-morrow," said Meldon.
The Major took no notice of the remark.

Meldon filled a fresh pipe, and watched the _Spindrift_ tugging at her moorings as the breeze freshened or died and the tide caught her.
"J.

J.," said the Major at last, speaking very solemnly, "I'd rather you didn't." "Didn't what ?" "I know you enjoy this sort of thing, and I don't want to spoil your holiday.

I'd like you to have a really good time, but I wish you'd hit on some other amusement." "Try and be a little more explicit, Major.