Major Kent and Meldon dined at Ballymoy House, and spent a very pleasant evening. At eleven o'clock they started on their drive home. "I'm sorry--" said the Major, and then paused. "I hope not," said Meldon. "You ought not to be." "I'm not," said the Major. "I merely meant that I'm afraid this rather unexpected--" "Go on," said Meldon. "I'd like to get at your exact feelings if I can." "Isn't this rather--rather an upset for you, J.J.?" "For me?" "Yes. On account of that plan of yours--Simpkins, you know. I was afraid all the time you would feel disappointed." "My plan," said Meldon, "is perfectly sound, and is working out admirably." "But you said that you meant--" "You're making one of your usual mistakes, Major. You're confusing the end I had in view with the means I adopted to bring it about. What I originally undertook to do was to remove Simpkins from Ballymoy. In that I have been entirely successful. He can't, simply can't, spend another week in the place. I mentioned to Doyle this morning that Simpkins intended to marry Miss King. Doyle evidently told several other people, for half the town was out to cheer us as we passed through on our way from Donard. When Simpkins sneaked back at about six o'clock this evening, looking like a whipped dog, there was sure to have been a large crowd to meet him. I said he was to tell Doyle the result as he passed; but whether he did or not, Doyle is sure to have found it out before night. How do you suppose Simpkins will be feeling?" The Major chuckled. "And what do you suppose will happen?" said Meldon. "I don't know. They'll laugh at him, I expect." "Laugh isn't the word," said Meldon. "They'll get out the town band and play tunes under his window half the night. He won't be able to put his nose outside the door without being met by a tribe of small boys grinning. There isn't a woman or a girl in the place, from Sabina Gallagher up, but will be making fun of him. Doyle and O'Donoghue and all the police will call round to condole with him. No man could stand it for a week. He'll go to-morrow, and have his luggage sent after him. That's the way my plan has worked out with regard to Simpkins, and I've no reason to be ashamed of it." "I'm glad you look at it that way, J. J. I was afraid perhaps--" "You needn't have been. I'm not one of those small-minded men who allow themselves to be tied to details, and are irritated because things don't go exactly as they expect. I look to the real object, the great ultimate end which I hope to achieve. As long as that comes off all right I don't worry myself about trifles. In this case I consider--and everybody who takes a large view will also consider--that I have been entirely successful. And now let's talk of something else. I'll marry you, of course." "We both hope you will," said the Major. "Right. That's settled. What about bridesmaids?" "We haven't gone into that yet."