Ronder did then, during the next half-hour, ask a great many questions, and he received a great many answers. The answers may not have told him overmuch about the things that he wanted to know, but they did tell him a great deal about Bentinck-Major.
The clock struck four.
Ronder got up.
"You don't know how you've helped me," he said. "You've told me exactly what I wanted to know. Thank you so very much."
Bentinck-Major looked gratified. He had, in fact, thoroughly enjoyed himself.
"Oh, but you'll stay and have some tea, won't you?"
"I'm afraid I can't do that. I've got a pretty busy afternoon still in front of me."
"My wife will be so disappointed."
"You'll let me come another day, won't you?"
"Of course. Of course."