son, who had just finished lunch.

"Hullo!" cried Derrick, springing up, his face full of delight which
touched me, while at the same time it filled me with envy.

Even the Major thought fit to give me a hearty welcome.

"Glad to see you again," he said pleasantly enough. "It's a relief
to have a fresh face to look at. We have a room which is quite at
your disposal, and I hope you'll stay with us. Brought your
portmanteau, eh?"

"It is at the station," I replied.

"See that it is sent for," he said to Derrick; "and show Mr.
Wharncliffe all that is to be seen in this cursed hole of a place."
Then, turning again to me, "Have you lunched? Very well, then,
don't waste this fine afternoon in an invalid's room, but be off and
enjoy yourself."

So cordial was the old man, that I should have thought him already a
reformed character, had I not found that he kept the rough side of
his tongue for home use. Derrick placed a novel and a small
handbell within his reach, and we were just going, when we were
checked by a volley of oaths from the Major; then a book came flying
across the room, well aimed at Derrick's head. He stepped aside,
and let it fall with a crash on the sideboard.

"What do you mean by giving me the second volume when you know I am
in the third?" fumed the invalid.