"Fine day, Halibut," he said, briskly; "fine day."

"Beautiful," said the other, making no attempt to keep pace with him.

"Country wants rain, though," cried the Major over his shoulder.

Halibut assented, and walking slowly on, wondered vaguely what gaudy
color it was that had attracted his eye. It dawned on him at length that
it must be the Major's tie, and he suddenly quickened his pace, by no
means reassured as the man of war also quickened his.

"Halloa, Brill!" he cried. "Half a moment."

The Major stopped and waited for his friend; Halibut eyed the tie
uneasily--it was fearfully and wonderfully made--but said nothing.

"Well?" said the Major, somewhat sharply.

"Oh--I was going to ask you, Brill--Confound it! I've forgotten what I
was going to say now. I daresay I shall soon think of it. You're not in
a hurry?"

"Well, I am, rather," said Brill. "Fact is-- Is my hat on straight,
Halibut?"

The other assuring him that it was, the Major paused in his career, and
gripping the brim with both hands, deliberately tilted it over the right
eye again.

"You were saying--" said Halibut, regarding this manoeuvre with secret