"May I look, sir?" asked the Major; "I, too, never have seen an Echinus
Larva."
The bearded man looks up.
"Major Campbell!"
"Mr. Thurnall! I thought I could not be mistaken in the voice."
"This is too pleasant, sir, to renew our watery loves together here," said Tom: but a second look at the Major's face showed him that he was in no jesting mood. "How is the party at Beddgelert? I fancied you with them still."
"They are all in London, at Lord Scoutbush's house, in Eaton Square."
"In London, at this dull time? I trust nothing unpleasant has brought them here."
"Mrs. Vavasour is very ill. We had thoughts of sending for you, as the family physician was out of town: but she was out of danger, thank God, in a few hours. Now let me ask in turn after you. I hope no unpleasant business brings you up three hundred miles from your practice?"
"Nothing, I assure you. Only I have given up my Aberalva practice. I am going to the East."
"Like the rest of the world."