I told Simpkins that she
had a large fortune and was the niece of an earl. Those facts, in
addition to her personal charm, will, I imagine, bring him rapidly up
to the scratch. I can do no more for the present. That's why I said I
was like the blacksmith and had earned my night's repose."
"It's early yet," said the Major. "I seldom turn in before eleven.
But, of course, you can go off at once if you like."
"When I quoted that line about the night's repose," said Meldon, "I was
speaking figuratively. I haven't the least intention of going to bed
at this hour. I don't suppose the original blacksmith did either, even
if he was feeling a bit upset about the choir. What I really meant was
that I am quite entitled now to have a couple of days off in the
_Spindrift_."
"I'm glad to hear you say that," said the Major. "I was afraid you
were going to spend your whole holiday running backwards and forwards
between this and Ballymoy."
"I can't take a regular cruise," said Meldon. "I absolutely must be
back here the day after to-morrow. No matter how carefully you arrange
things, there's always a risk of something going wrong.
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