Yes, he was the modest, clean-bred, simple
English gentleman who, without self-consciousness or self-seeking,
does his daily task as well as it can be done, just because it is
the thing that is set before him to do. And he was over head and
ears in love with Betty.
I took it upon myself to dismiss her with a nod after she had
smoked a cigarette over her coffee. Mrs. Marigold, as a soldier's
wife, I announced, had a world of invaluable advice to give her.
Willie Connor opened the door. On the threshold she said very
prettily:
"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.
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