“I am sorry,” said Hardy, again.
“Good evening,” said the captain
“Good evening.”
Crestfallen and angry Hardy moved to the door, pausing with his hand on it as the captain spoke again.
“One word more,” said the older man, gazing at him oddly as he stroked his grey beard; “if ever you try to come bothering me with your talk again I'll forbid you the house.”
“Forbid me the house?” repeated the astonished Hardy.
“That's what I said,” replied the other; “that's plain English, isn't it?”
Hardy looked at him in bewilderment; then, as the captain's meaning dawned upon him, he stepped forward impulsively and, seizing his hand, began to stammer out incoherent thanks.
“You'd better clear before I alter my mind,” said Captain Nugent, roughly. “I've had more than enough of you. Try the garden, if you like.”
He took up a paper from the table and resumed his seat, not without a grim smile at the promptitude with which the other obeyed his instructions.