THE TELEPHONE AGAIN.
Ting-a-ling.
Patient Subscriber. Hullo.
Gruff Voice. Are you Bond and Lapel?
Patient Subscriber. I'm afraid you've got the wrong number. We're Gerrard 932041. The Society for the Prevention of Wet Feet amongst the Genteel Poor.
* * * * *
Ting-a-ling.
Same Patient Subscriber. Hullo.
Same Gruff Voice. Bond and Lapel?
S. P. S. No, they've given you the wrong number again. We're Gerrard 932041. Ring off, please.
* * * * *
Ting-a-ling.
S. P. S. Hullo.
S. G. V. Bond and Lapel? I'm Major——
S. P. S. My dear Sir, will you believe me that we're not Bond and Lapel? We're Gerrard 9-3-2-0-4-1. Don't let me have to speak to you again, there's a good fellow.
* * * * *
Ting-a-ling.
Exchange. You're thr-r-r-rough.
| S. G. V. S. P. S. | } | Hullo. |
S. G. V. Bond and Lapel, dammit! I want——Don't you "tut" me, Sir. I tell you you are.
S. P. S. Oh, all right. Well, what can I do for you?
S. G. V. Eh?
S. P. S. I said, What can I do for you?
S. G. V. I'm Major Smith. I want you to make me——
S. P. S. Marjorie who? Speak up, please.
S. G. V. Major, M-a-j-o-r, Major. Major Smith. Can you hear that? I want you to make me a blue serge suit by to-morrow week.
S. P. S. A little louder.... That's better. If you'll wait a moment I'll just jot down your measurements.
S. G. V. Measurements! What the——! I'm Major Smith.
S. P. S. Hold the line a moment and I'll see if we have them. Are you holding on?... Hullo. Major Smith, you said? Sorry, but the fact is we've got two Major Smiths on our books. Would you kindly tell me which one you are?
S. G. V. I'm Major—Smith—of—3—Mecklington—Gardens—Kensington.
S. P. S. Oh, yes. Close to the Oval.
S. G. V. Kens-s-sington!
S. P. S. Oh, Kensington with an "s." Yes. I know. Well now, how would you like it made? Will you have the trousers to match? We're doing a very smart line in buff canary trouserings, just——
S. G. V. I said A BLUE SERGE SUIT, Sir!
S. P. S. Sorry. I was thinking of the other Major Smith. Then we'll say trousers to match. Yes, I've got that. Do you wear them turned up or down? Down. Trousers turned down and sleeves turned up. No, both down. Yes. Now what about box pleats? Shall we say box pleats?
S. G. V. Don't you put any of your new-fangled dodges on my clothes, young man, because I won't have it.
S. P. S. No box pleats. I'll make a special note of it. Then to-morrow fortnight without fail.
S. G. V. To-morrow WEEK. And if you don't send that dress suit of mine by six to-night——
S. P. S. Dress suit? Dress suit? What dress suit? This is the first I've heard of any dress suit.
S. G. V. What?
S. P. S. It can't be done, old chap. You'll have to borrow one for to-night.
S. G. V. Y-y-you insolent p-puppy. P-put me through to the manager. At once.
S. P. S. Thanks so much. Then I'll put you down for a subscription. The Society for the Prevention of Wet Feet amongst the Genteel Poor, you know.
S. G. V. ——! ——! ——! (Biff ... bang ... ting-a-ling ... buz-z-z-z-z-z.)
S. P. S. Exchange.
Exchange. Number, please.
S. P. S. Put me through to the Repairs Department.... Oh, Repairs Department. I'm ringing up on behalf of Major Smith, of 3, Mecklington Gardens, Kensington. Send someone round at once, please. His telephone has burst.