"Two minutes will be ample," said the Major softly.
Frank waited.
"When I find a friend," went on the other, "engaged in an apparently exciting kind of conversation, which he informs me is private, with one who is in the position of my wife—particularly when I catch a sentence or two obviously not intended for my ears—I do not ask what was the subject of the conversation, but I—"
"My dear man," said Frank, "do put it more simply."
The Major was caught, so to speak, full in the wind. His face twitched with anger.
Then he flung an oath at Frank.
"If I catch you at it again," he said, "there'll be trouble. God damn you!"
"That is as it may be," said Frank.
The Major had had just one drink too much, and he was in the kind of expansive mood that changes very rapidly.
"Can you tell me you were not trying to take her from me?" he cried, almost with pathos in his voice.