Part 97 (2/2)

”And why, sir?” said the Major. ”Tell me that, sir. Because you confused me by leading queen, when you had ace, king, queen. The most utterly schoolboy play. I wouldn't have done such a thing at Eton.”

”I had a flush of them,” I said eagerly. ”And I meant to lead ace, and then get trumps out. But I put down queen by mistake.”

”You can make what excuses you like, Hamlyn,” said the Major. ”But the fact remains the same. There is one great fault in your character, the greatest fault I know of, and which you ought to study to correct. I tell you of it boldly as an old friend. You are too confoundedly chary in leading out your trumps, and you can't deny it.”

”Hallo!” said Captain Brentwood, ”who comes so late?”

Mary Hawker rose from her chair, and looked eagerly towards the door.

”I know who it is,” she said, blus.h.i.+ng. ”I heard him laugh.”

In another moment the door was thrown open, and in stalked Tom Troubridge.

”By George!” he said. ”Don't all speak to me at once. I feel the queerest wambling in my innards, as we used to say in Devon, at the sight of so many old faces. Somehow, a man can't make a new home in a hurry. It's the people make the home, not the house and furniture. My dear old cousin, and how are you?”

”I am very quiet, Tom. I am much happier than I thought to have been.

And I am deeply thankful to see you again.”

”How is my boy, Tom?” said the Major.

”And how is my girl, Tom?” said the Captain.

”Sam,” said Tom, ”is a sight worth a guinea, and Mrs. Samuel looks charming, but--In point of fact you know I believe she expects--”

”No!” said the Captain. ”You don't say so.”

”Fact, my dear sir.”

”Dear me,” said the Major, drumming on the table. ”I hope it will be a b--. By the bye, how go the sheep?”

”You never saw such a country, sir!” said Tom. ”We have got nearly five thousand on each run, and there is no one crowding up yet. If we can hold that ground with our produce, and such store-sheep as we can pick up, we shall do wonders.”

By this time Tom was set at supper, and between the business of satisfying a hunger of fifteen hours, began asking after old friends.

”How are the Mayfords?” he asked.

”Poor Mrs. Mayford is better,” said Mrs. Buckley. ”She and Ellen are just starting for Europe. They have sold their station, and we have bought it.”

”What are they going to do in England?” asked Tom.

”Going to live with their relations in Hamps.h.i.+re.”

”Ellen will be a fine match for some young English squire,” said Tom.

”She will have twenty thousand pounds some day, I suppose.”

And then we went on talking about other matters.

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