"
Meldon had provided himself with a few of the Major's visiting cards
before leaving Portsmouth Lodge in the morning. He was a man who
prided himself on leaving nothing to chance. Since it was just
possible that the cards might turn out to be useful, he had put a few
in his pocket.
"In fact," he went on, "to prevent any possible mistake or
misunderstanding I may as well hand it over to you at once." He
produced a card, slightly crumpled and a good deal soiled, from his
waistcoat pocket, and laid it on Simpkins' knee. Simpkins looked at it
doubtfully, took it up in his hand, and examined both sides of it.
Then he spoke slowly.
"I think you know," he said; "in fact, I've told you myself, that the
Major and I aren't on very good terms. I was obliged to speak to him
rather strongly about the way he used to fish in a part of the river--"
"I know all about that; you needn't go into it again. It's entirely
over and done with. An era of peace is beginning to dawn. After
listening to my sermon this morning--it's a great pity for your own
sake that you weren't in church, Simpkins--the Major finds himself in a
position to forget the past and to start fresh.
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