"I'm sorry we're at such cross-purposes, Major. All my life long
I've owed you kindnesses I can't ever repay. But at present we're
hopelessly out of sympathy!"

"It seems so," said I. "I had hoped your father's son would be a
better man!"

"My father," said he, "was a successful stockbroker, without any
ideas in his head save the making of money. I don't see what he
has got to do with my well-considered attitude towards life."

"Your callow attitude towards life, my poor boy," said I, "is a
matter of profound indifference to me. But I shall give orders
that you are no longer admitted to this house except in uniform."

"That's absurd," said he.

"Not at all," said I.

In obedience to the summons of the bell Sergeant Marigold appeared
and stood in his ramrod fashion by the door.

Randall came forward to my wheel-chair, with hand outstretched.

"I'm desperately sorry, Major, for this disastrous
misunderstanding."

I thrust my hands beneath the light shawl that covered my legs.

"Don't be such a self-sufficient fool, Randall," I said, "as to