The Major sat up late that night waiting for news, but none came, and by breakfast-time next morning his thirst for information became almost uncontrollable. He toyed with a chop and allowed his coffee to get cold. Then he clapped on his hat and set off to Halibut’s to know the worst.
“Well?” he inquired, as he followed the other into his dining-room.
“I went,” said Halibut, waving him to a chair.
“Am I to congratulate you?”
“Well, I don’t know,” was the reply; “perhaps not just yet.”
“What do you mean by that?” said the Major, irascibly.
“Well, as a matter of fact,” said Halibut, “she refused me, but so nicely and so gently that I scarcely minded it. In fact, at first I hardly realized that she had refused me.”
The Major rose, and regarding his poor friend kindly, shook and patted him lightly on the shoulder.
“She’s a splendid woman,” said Halibut. “Ornament to her sex,” remarked the Major.
“So considerate,” murmured the bereaved one.