wondered. Evidently not, for after glancing about him he sat himself
down upon a rustic seat near-by with a certain resolute air that I
did not like. I must get rid of him at all hazards.

"Sir," said I, "can I trespass on your generosity to the extent of
a match or say a couple?" After a brief hesitation he drew out a
very neat silver match-box, which he handed to me.

"A fine day, sir?" I said, puffing at my pipe.

Mr. Selwyn made no reply.

"I hear that the crops are looking particularly healthy this year,"
I went on.

Mr. Selwyn appeared to be utterly lost in the contemplation of an
adjacent tree.

"To my mind an old apple tree is singularly picturesque," I began
again, nice nobbly branches, don't you know."

Mr. Selwyn began to fidget.

"And then," I pursued, "they tell me that apples are so good for
the blood."

Mr. Selwyn shifted his gaze to the toe of his riding boot, and for a
space there was silence, so much so, indeed, that an inquisitive
rabbit crept up and sat down to watch us with much interest, until
- evidently remembering some pressing engagement - he disappeared