in the world--I'm thankful to say I haven't--but if I had,
there's nothing would give me greater pleasure than to see him enduring
the agony that Simpkins has just been through. But that's the worst of
you. I arrange these little surprises for you, hoping to see your face
light up with a smile of gratification, and all I get in return is
growls and grumbles."

Major Kent grinned.

"That's better," said Meldon. "I'm glad to see that you're capable of
getting some good out of an innocent pleasure, even if you have to wait
till somebody points out to you what it is you ought to enjoy."

"Any way, J. J., this will put a stopper on your plan. There'll be no
love-making to-day."

"On the contrary," said Meldon, "I expect we've laid the foundation of
a deep and enduring affection. There's nothing draws people together
more than a common misfortune."

"But you can't expect a woman to take to a man when she sees him in the
state Simpkins was in when we were on the reach towards the island."

"Not if she's all right herself," said Meldon; "but when she's in the
state Miss King was in she's past noticing anybody's complexion. The
only emotion Miss King could possibly have felt, the only emotion of a
spiritual kind, was a bitter hatred of you and me; and that, of course,
would make her feel a strong affection for Simpkins. On the whole,
Major, we may congratulate ourselves on our success so far. Just put
the luncheon basket into the punt, will you? They'll be as hungry as
wolves in another half-hour. Simpkins is beginning to buck up already.
Look at him."

Simpkins was staggering towards his hat, which Meldon had left lying at
the place where the punt landed.

"I expect," said the Major, "that he feels as if the sun on the back of
his head would upset him again. It must be pretty hot in there where
they're sheltered from the wind."

"We'll give him a drop of whisky," said Meldon, "and set him on his
feet properly. Get in, Major."

"I'm not at all sure that I'm going ashore. I think I'd be more
comfortable where I am. Simpkins is bad enough when he's healthy, but
in the condition he's in now I simply couldn't stand him at all.
Besides, I don't think Miss King would like us to land. It doesn't
seem to me quite fair to go spying on a woman when she's sick. She'd
rather be left alone for a while, till she recovers her ordinary
colour. I felt very sorry for her on the boat, and if I could have
done anythin