"Don't drink too much of Major Meredyth's old port. It has been
known before now to separate husbands and wives for years and
years."

He looked after her for a few seconds before he closed the door.

Oh, my God! I've looked like that, in my time, after one dear
woman.... Humanity is very simple, after all. Every generation
does exactly the same beautiful, foolish things as its forerunner.
As he approached the table, I said with a smile:--

"You're only copying your great-great-grandfather."

"In what way, sir?" he asked, resuming his place.

I pushed the decanter of port. "He watched the disappearing skirt
of your great-great-grandmother."

"She was doubtless a very venerable old lady," said he, flushing
and helping himself to wine. "I never knew her, but she wasn't a
patch on Betty!"

"But," said I, "when your great-great-grandfather opened the door
for her to pass out, she wasn't venerable at all, but gloriously
young."

"I suppose he was satisfied, poor old chap." He took a sip. "But
those days did not produce Betty Fairfaxes." He laughed. "I'm
jolly sorry for my ancestors."