"
Major Kent had provided an excellent luncheon for the party, and Miss
King had revived rapidly since she landed. She allowed herself to be
persuaded to drink some weak whisky and water. Afterwards she ate cold
chicken with a good appetite. Poor Simpkins was less fortunate. He
insisted on wearing his damp hat, and could not be persuaded to eat
anything except biscuits. Meldon, who was most anxious to restore him
to a condition of vigour, pressed a tomato on him; but the result was
unfortunate. After eating half of it, Simpkins turned his back even on
the biscuit tin. He refused to smoke after lunch, although the Major
and Meldon lit their pipes in an encouraging way quite close to him,
and Miss King appeared to find pleasure in a cigarette. The situation
was not promising; but Meldon was a man of unquenchable hope. Seizing
a moment when Miss King was looking in another direction, he winked
violently at Major Kent. The Major was extremely comfortably seated
with his back against a rock, and was enjoying himself. The
_Spindrift_ lay secure at her anchor. The sun shone pleasantly. An
after luncheon pipe is a particularly enjoyable one, and Miss King was
talking in a very charming way, besides looking pretty.
Pages:
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175