Simpkins' house. Miss King looked at Major Kent.
"You see it's all settled for you," she said. "You'll have to come
back with me."
"I suppose I had better," said the Major. Then after a pause he added,
"Of course I'm delighted to, and it's very kind of you to ask me."
Simpkins was stretched in a hammock chair reading a novel when Meldon
found him. He received a severe lecture for not attending church,
which seemed to surprise him a good deal, especially as his absence was
attributed by Meldon to shame and a consciousness of guilt, feelings
from which Simpkins had never in his life suffered. Then--and this
seemed to astonish him still more--he was warmly invited to go for a
day's yachting in the _Spindrift_.
"I didn't hear," he said doubtfully, "that Major Kent was going away."
"He isn't," said Meldon. "Don't I tell you he's giving a picnic in his
yacht?"
"Are you sure he wants me?"
"Certain. He sent you an invitation, which is a plain proof that he
wants you. He would have delivered it himself, only that Miss King
caught him after church and carried him off to luncheon. But I have
one of his cards with me, and if you insist on everything being done in
the most accurate and correct possible manner, I'll leave it on the
umbrella stand in your hall as I go out.
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