But I'm rather a Juggins. Thorpe is as 'cute as they
make 'em."
"A man of mind and muscle," murmured Ajax.
"And my greatest pal," added the enthusiastic James.
* * * * *
Both Ajax and I took a profound dislike to Tomlinson-Thorpe the moment
we set eyes upon him. He presented what is worst in the Briton abroad
--a complacent aggressiveness tempered by a condescension which nothing
but a bullet can lay low. But undeniably he was specially designed to
go through scrums or Kitchen Lancers, the admired of all beholders.
"A schoolgirl's darling," growled the injudicious Ajax.
"Nothing of the sort," retorted Jim. "I mean," he added, "that Thorpe
appeals to--er--mature women. I know for a fact that the wife of a
baronet is head over ears in love with him."
"I hope he didn't tell you so," said Ajax.
"I should think not. First and last he's a gentleman."
During the next few weeks we had abundant opportunity of testing this
assertion, for Thorpe was kind enough to consume much of our time and
provisions. He bought himself a smart pony, and, very accurately
turned out, would canter down to the ranch-house three or four times a
week.
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