Simpkins couldn't and wouldn't go near her while you were there.

It would have been no use if he had.

I must say, Major, you are a most difficult man to work with.

Here I've been sacrificing the whole of my short holiday to carrying through a difficult negotiation for your benefit, and all you do is to balk me at every turn, to fling obstacles in my way, to foul every rope I'm trying to get a pull on.

How can I marry Simpkins to Miss King if you won't let him go near her ?" "She won't marry him, J.J.; so you may put the idea out of your head once for all.