"Yes. Would you like to examine it?" said the major. "Who, I? No thank you, old fellow, I'm busy." "Where are you going, Jack?" said the major, as a thought just occurred to him. "Over yonder--`The Firs.'" "To Fort Science, eh?" said the major, smiling; but only to look serious again directly. "Why, Jack, what for? Why are you going?" "There, there, don't interfere, Jem; it would not interest you. Precious unpleasant business, I can tell you. I must go, though." "What is the matter, Jack?" "There, there, my dear fellow, what is the use of worrying me about it. Go on hunting for _pezizas_, or whatever you call them. This is a domestic matter, and doesn't concern you." "Yes it does concern me, Jack," replied the major. "You are going about that communication which Rolph made to us last night after dinner." "Well, hang it all, Jem, suppose I am; surely, as Glynne's father, if I want to see the man who insulted her, and talk to him, there's no occasion for you to interfere." "Jack, you are out of temper," said the major. "You are going to make a--" "Fool of myself, eh? There, say it, man, say it," cried the baronet hastily. "I shall not say anything of the kind, Jack," replied the major good-humouredly; "but let's talk sensibly, old fellow." "Yes, of course, sensibly," cried Sir John sharply. "You are going to turn advocate and speak on that telescopic scoundrel's behalf. What the dickens do you mean by sticking yourself here when I'm going out on business!" "Tchut! tchut, Jack! don't be so confoundedly peppery," cried the major. "Now, look here, boy, what are you going to do?" "Going to do? I'm going to horsewhip that fellow, and make him write a humble letter of apology to Rob. If he doesn't, Rob shall call him out." "Now, my dear Jack, don't talk nonsense!" cried the major. "Nonsense, sir? It isn't nonsense. It's all very fine for you, with your scientific humbug, to be making friends with the star-gazing scoundrel. You fellows always hang together and back each other up. But look here, Jem, I'm not going to be meddled with in this matter. You have interfered enough." "I only want you, as a gentleman, to behave like a gentleman to Mr Alleyne." "You leave me alone for that, Jem. Insolence! The poor girl came home all of a tremble. She's quite white this morning, and looks as if she ought to have a doctor to her. It's your fault too, Jem, 'pon my word it is." "My fault, my dear brother," said the major earnestly; "indeed, no. I would not say a word that should interfere with Glynne's happiness." "But you did, sir; you did when she was first engaged." "Only to you, Jack. I did not like the engagement, and I don't like it; but I have always since I got over the first shock--" "Hang it, Jem, don't talk like that, man. Anyone would think that you had been stricken down by some terrible trouble."