"I beg your pardon.

Of course if the idea doesn't appeal to you--" And he rose to go.
The Major ran a tremulous hand through his hair, sighing deeply.

"I--I don't like to refuse you anything, Georgie," he said.

"I don't know that I often have refused you whatever you wanted--in reason--" "You've always been more than generous, sir," George interrupted quickly.

"And if the idea of a tandem doesn't appeal to you, why--of course--" And he waved his hand, heroically dismissing the tandem.
The Major's distress became obvious.