“Good women always are,” said the Major, decisively. “I don’t think I’d better worry her to-day, Halibut, do you?”
“No, I don’t,” said Halibut, stiffly.
“I’ll try my luck to-morrow,” said the Major.
“I beg your pardon,” said Halibut.
“Eh?” said the Major, trying to look puzzled.
“You are forgetting the conditions of the game,” replied Halibut. “You have to obtain my permission first.”
“Why, my dear fellow,” said the Major, with a boisterous laugh. “I wouldn’t insult you by questioning your generosity in such a case. No, no, Halibut, old fellow, I know you too well.”
He spoke with feeling, but there was an anxious note in his voice.
“We must abide by the conditions,” said Halibut, slowly; “and I must inform you, Brill, that I intend to renew the attack myself.”
“Then, sir,” said the Major, fuming, “you compel me to say—putting all modesty aside—that I believe the reason Mrs. Riddel would have nothing to do with you was because she thought somebody else might make a similar offer.”