You may take my word for it, Major, that Miss King is perfectly justified in being as nice as ever she can to Simpkins." "I never said anything about Simpkins.

As far as I can make out she isn't particularly nice to Simpkins." "No, she isn't, so far; but that's only because she hasn't had a fair chance.

When we get them out together in the _Spindrift_--" "What ?" "When we get the two of them out together in the _Spindrift_," said Meldon, speaking slowly and distinctly, "you'll see that she'll make herself perfectly fascinating--not to you or me, but to Simpkins." "Leaving Miss King out of the question," said the Major, "I'd like you to be perfectly clear about this.

I won't--" "Before we go on to Simpkins," said Meldon, "we must settle definitely about Miss King.

Is it understood that you catch her after church tomorrow and invite her out for a sail with us in the _Spindrift_ ?" "No; I won't.