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128 He said it so seriously and sadly that we all laughed, and so, comparing notes and recalling incidents of our stay, we passed the last of our emerald hours.

We had only a few minutes before we sailed after we went on board, and of course we said all the inane things people generally say when every moment is precious and there are a thousand things unspeakable in their hearts. But just as the last bell rang, while Mrs Greendays was examining with immense satisfaction the lovely New Zealand rug Colonel Deane had given her as a parting gift, and I was leaning over the rail with him, taking a photograph of the Bluff, lie said, touching my arm to make me look at him,

“If, when I get home at the end of this next year, I ask you to pay another visit to Maoriland, with me, will you come?