If I
didn't still believe that you hate Simpkins I should drop the matter at
once. After all, it's no business of mine."
"Then do drop it. Like a good man, J. J., leave Miss King alone, and
let the judge fish in peace."
"No; I won't. I'll see the thing through now I'm this far, and within
easy reach of success. I don't want to have you reproaching me
afterwards for going back on my word."
"I won't reproach you. I promise not to."
"You'd mean not to; but when the present flurry is over, and when
Simpkins begins to annoy you again about the fishing and other things,
you won't be able to help reproaching me. Even if you refrain from
actual words I shall see it in your eye. I can't go through life,
Major, haunted by your eye with a mute, unspoken reproach in it."
Major Kent sighed heavily.
"Then what do you mean to do?" he asked.
"I shall see the judge to-morrow," said Meldon, "and--"
"I advise you not to. He's sure to have found out about the paraffin
oil by that time."
"I'm prepared for that. There may be some slight temporary
unpleasantness, but that will pass away at once when the judge hears
the proposal that I have to make.
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