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the Major finished the remainder of the letters. Then the latter turned again to the old account book.

‘I should like you to go through this,’ he said, running the leaves through his fingers with a lingering touch, ‘and draw out a statement of what is owing in each case. You will find a number of accounts ruled off with a red line and those you can disregard. I have either been paid, or I am satisfied I shan’t be, or I am content not to be. I should like a list of the others, but any time will do, and there is no hurry for a week or so.’

‘Very good, sir.’

The Major rose, walked idly across the office and stood musing in the doorway.

‘Everything satisfactory?’ he asked finally.

‘I think so,’ said Geoffrey, a little puzzled.

‘Don’t feel bored out of existence? Satisfied with the money you are getting?’

‘No to the first question, and yes to the last,’ Geoffrey replied.

‘There was a time,’ the Major said, ‘when I never saw a ship cast off for the old land but I wanted to be on board, Ever felt like that?’

‘I have, often, but not now.’

‘When you feel the craving return upon you and you are convinced that there is no place like England and no happiness away from it, tell me so, will you?’

‘I will,’ said Geoffrey, puzzled.

The Major nodded, seemed on the point of continuing the conversation, but finally departed without further speech.

Geoffrey sat at his desk with the pen arrested in