"
"Any way," said the Major, "I don't believe that he'll do much
love-making to-day."
"Don't be too sure of that. If Miss King is behaving now as she ought
to be; if she has taken that wet hat off his head and stopped it
wringing his brow; if, as I confidently expect, she is showing herself
a ministering angel, we shall most likely find them sitting in a most
affectionate attitude when we get back."
Miss King did not do her duty. When Meldon and Major Kent returned,
lobsterless, after half an hour's absence, they found Mr. Simpkins
sitting on a stone by himself with the wet hat still on his head. Miss
King was a long way off, stumbling about among the stones at the
water's edge. She may, perhaps, have been trying to catch lobsters.
The voyage home was most unpleasant for every one except Meldon. The
wind had risen slightly since morning, and the motion of the yacht in
running before it was very trying. Mr. Simpkins collapsed at once and
was dragged by Meldon into the cabin, where he lay in speechless
misery. Miss King held out bravely for some time, and then gave way
suddenly. Major Kent, watching her, was very unhappy, and did not dare
to smoke lest he should make her worse.
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