The wisest line for me to take in this case is to allow
the paraffin oil to soak in. I hardly think it will be necessary for
me to see him again. He'll probably leave by the mid-day train. The
fact is, I'm thinking of taking a half-holiday."
"Do," said the Major. "After what you went through yesterday you must
want--"
"No, I don't. And I'm not the kind of man who pretends that he takes
holidays because he finds them necessary for his health. I take them
simply because I enjoy them."
"We might," said the Major, "have a day in the _Spindrift_."
"I said a half-holiday," said Meldon. "In the afternoon I must go in
and explain to Simpkins that you don't really mean anything by your
rather pronounced attentions to Miss King."
The Major sighed. He had no doubt that Meldon would do exactly as he
said, and he foresaw fresh complications of a most embarrassing kind.
Still, a half-holiday was something to be thankful for.
"We might," he said, "have a sail in the morning and come back for
lunch."
"No," said Meldon, "we can't do that. There's not a breath of wind.
But, without actual sailing, we might spend a pleasant and restful
morning on board the yacht.
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