“I remember you perfectly, Major,” he declared. “I am very glad that my gift is acceptable. Anything one can do to lessen the suffering of those who are fighting our battle, is almost a charge upon our means.”
“It is very fortunate for us that you feel like that,” the other replied. “Thank you once more, sir.”
The two men separated. Sir Alfred turned to the hall-porter.
“I am expecting my nephew in to dine,” he said,—“Captain Granet. Bring him into the smoking-room, will you, directly he arrives.”
“Certainly, sir!”
Sir Alfred passed on across the marble hall. Thomson, whose hand had been upon his hat, replaced it upon the peg. He looked after the great banker and stood for a moment deep in thought. Then he addressed the hall-porter.
“By-the-bye, Charles,” he inquired, “if you ask a non-member to dinner, you have to dine in the strangers’ room, I suppose?”
“Certainly, sir,” the man replied. “It is just at the back of the general dining-room.”
“I suppose an ordinary member couldn’t dine in there alone?”
“It is not customary, sir.”