"I expect," he said one day, when a note of refusal had come from
him, "that he doesn't care about meeting Forster. You remember
Forster said they had been at school together, and from the tone in
which he spoke it is evident that they disliked each other there.
No doubt he has heard from the Doctor that Forster is frequently in
here," and the Major spoke rather irritably, for it seemed to him
that Isobel showed more pleasure in the Captain's society than she
should have done after what he had said to her about him; indeed,
Isobel, especially when the Doctor was present, appeared by no
means to object to Captain Forster's attentions.
Upon the evening, however, of the day when Isobel had spoken to
Mrs. Doolan, Bathurst came in, rather late in the evening.
"How are you, Bathurst?" the Major said cordially. "Why, you have
become quite a stranger. We haven't seen you for over a fortnight.
Do you know Captain Forster?"
"We were at school together formerly, I believe," Bathurst said
quietly. "We have not met since, and I fancy we are both changed
beyond recognition."
Captain Forster looked with surprise at the strong, well knit
figure. He had not before seen Bathurst, and had pictured him to
himself as a weak, puny man.
"I certainly should not have known Mr. Bathurst," he said. "I have
changed a great deal, no doubt, but he has certainly changed more."
There was no attempt on the part of either to shake hands. As they
moved apart Isobel came into the room.
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