Selwyn had met his master. He saw it; he was a wise man; then and there he surrendered.
"Of course," he said, and brought forth the half-crown. "We are up against it this morning. This is all I happen to have with me."
He put the half-crown on the counter, and Mr. Horrington blinked suspiciously at him.
The out-of-curl barmaid went away in a little while, and Mr. Horrington suggested lighting pipes and sitting down a few minutes on the seat running along the wall. Selwyn, hopeless of escape just then, acquiesced. They crossed the floor and sat down.
"Have you a match?" said Mr. Horrington as a start in matters. Selwyn obediently handed over the box. "Business is very slack this year, very. I find time hang heavily sometimes. Practically never a man of culture to speak to. I often mean to get up one or two decent books from down South."
"Sorry haven't got one with me," said Selwyn, counting the flies on the ceiling.
"Yes," went on Mr. Horrington, shaking his head. "I have to hang round this wretched rattletrap township all day. Fellows turn up any time from the bush with skins to sell, or samples of ore. It wouldn't do to be away. A man might lose custom. But it is sickening for a man of culture listening to their petty squabbles and affairs. By the way, that reminds me, I heard a fair shocker the other day; a fair shocker I can tell you. No need to say this is strictly between you and me. Of course you knew Neville's girl was engaged to the Power who owns this station?"
"Met him several times."
"No doubt. Not a bad chap you would think," said Mr. Horrington. "Well, it is all over the place now he is running a double affair."
"Eh?"