"I mean that whiles they wait for sight of you I—er—keep you here——"
"By main force, sir."
The Major laughed.
"They will be growing desperate, I doubt," said he.
"Well, let 'em, Major John, I prefer to be—kept here awhile. Pray be seated as you were."
He obeyed, though his usually serene brow was flushed and his gaze wandered towards the tobacco-box again, perceiving which, my lady placed it in his hand.
"As regards your nephew——"
"Meaning Tom."
"Meaning Pancras, sir, he plagued me monstrously this morning. I was alone within the bower and he had the extreme impertinence to—climb the wall."
"The deuce he did, mam!"