He was a fine specimen of the best type of old soldier--tall, straight, handsome, hearty and straightforward in manner--in short a gentleman every inch of him. I had a great liking for him, and for his own sake alone would have gone far towards smoothing his difficulties and straightening things out for him no matter how crooked they might be, thanks to his own wrongheadedness. His wife was a good counterpart of him--without his wrongheadedness--and quite free from the fads and fussiness apparently inseparable from most elderly ladies, which render their presence and company a matter for resigned toleration rather than any sort of pleasure or advantage. To such Mrs Sewin was a rare and remarkable exception. The youngest daughter, Edith, was outwardly a complete contrast to her stately sister, being shorter, and plump and fair-haired, but very pretty--and sunny-natured to a degree. In fact I believe that to most men she would have proved the more attractive of the two. "Have a glass of grog, Glanton, after your ride," said the Major. "Well, and how's trade?" "So so. Much as usual. I'm thinking of a couple of months' trip to the north of Zululand soon. I might pick up some good cattle in Hamu's and Majendwa's part, and Zulu oxen always find a good sale." "Into Zululand?" repeated Falkner, who had just entered. "By Jove, Glanton, I'd like to go with you. Wouldn't I just." I hope I didn't show that I wouldn't like anything of the sort. I may have, for I was never a good actor, except in dealing with savages. "That wouldn't be impossible," I answered. "But what about the farm?" I read "Hang the farm!" as plain as possible in his face, though he hadn't said it. What he did say was: "Oh well. We might think out some plan so as to work it." "You must have had some very exciting adventures among the savages in your time, Mr Glanton," said Mrs Sewin. "The liveliest adventures I have ever had were among white men, and not among savages at all," I answered. "But there, you must excuse me filling the role of the up-country yarner." "Mr Glanton is most provokingly and proverbially impossible to `draw,' you know, mother," said Miss Sewin, with a laugh and a shake of the head. "That's more than most fellows in his line are," guffawed Falkner, in a way that was rather unpleasant, and, I thought, intentionally so, as he helped himself to a glass of grog. "Come and have a look round the garden, Glanton," said the Major. "We sha'n't get dinner for nearly an hour, and it'll help fill up the time. You girls coming?" "Aida, you go," said the youngest. "Mother and I will see about getting dinner ready."