pression," I answered shortly. "Let me remind
you however that you've `had the floor' ever since you came back, with
that yarn of yours. Could I have got in a word edgeways?"

"Well, what news does she give you?" he jerked out, after an interval of
silence, during which he had been viciously rapping his pipe against the
heel of his boot as he sat.

"Just about the same as what you've been reading out to me."

"That all?"

It was as much as I could do to keep my temper. Falkner's tone had
become about as offensive as he knew how to make it, and that is saying
a great deal--this too, apart from the fact that I resented being
catechised at all. But I remembered my promise to his cousin not to
quarrel with him, and just managed to keep it; only then by making no
reply.

There was silence again. By way of relieving it I sung out to Tom to
come and take away our plates, and the relics of our meal. Falkner the
while was emitting staccato puffs from his newly lighted pipe, and as I
settled down to fill mine he suddenly broke forth:

"Look here, Glanton, I'm a plain-speaking sort of chap and accustomed to
say what I mean. So we'd better have it out now, once and for all."

I didn't affect ignorance of his drift. I merely nodded, and he went
on. "Well then, I've noticed that you and Ai--my cousin--have been
getting uncommon thick of late. I didn't think much of it, but now,
when it comes to her writing to you on the quiet, why I think it's time
to have some say in the matter."

"In the first place the only persons entitled to have any `say in the
matter' as you put it are Major and Mrs Sewin," I said. "In the next,
you should withdraw that expression `on the quiet.' It's an insult--to
your cousin."

"Oh well, since you put it like that, I withdraw it," he growled. "But
as for--er--the matter in hand, well, I warn you you are poaching on
someone else's preserves."

"Might I, as a matter of curiosity, ask who the `someone else' may be?"
I said, conscious at the same time of a wholly unaccustomed sinking of
the heart.

"Certainly, and I'll tell you. It's myself."

"That's straight anyway," I rejoined, feeling relieved. "Then I am to
understand I must congratulate you--both--on an engagement?"

He started at the word "both."

"Er--no. Not exactly that. Hang it, Glanton, don't I put things plain
enough? I mean I was first in the field, and it isn't fair--in fact I
consider it beastly dishonourable f