The prime minister, in shirtsleeves, was answering questions at an informal session of his Conservative party's annual conference. Major recounted the moment when the West learned that Yeltsin did, after all, understand English.
During a walk through the grounds of the prime minister's country house one Sunday morning in 1994, Major asked Yeltsin if he wanted to go back directly to the house or via the local pub, the Bernard Arms.
"'The Bernard Arms,' said Boris. 'The Bernard Arms!'" exclaimed Major, who has often extolled his own love of British beer.
"We ambled down to the pub, accompanied by a small army of officials and security guards, only to find it shut.
This was something of a blow, and so one of Yeltsin's interpreters rapped on the door, shouting: 'Open up, it's the president of Russia.'
And a voice came back: 'And this is the Kaiser!'"
The audience loved it, and so did Major, who is clearly much more comfortable in relaxed gatherings than making formal set-piece speeches.
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