THE PROVISION MERCHANT.


"Can we supply you with a car, Sir? Certainly.

This is our 1920 touring model—provisional, of course.

By the way, the body, you see, is only a provisional one.

The engine design is purely provisional, you'll understand—

and the horsepower is provisionally fixed at 12-78.

Delivery is in eighteen months—quite provisional, that is—

and the price we put provisionally at £1,200.

We shall require, of course, a deposit of £600 before we can provisionally accept the order.

I may add that a guarantee goes with each car—provisional, naturally—

and we will provisionally undertake to inform you of any provisional alterations—

that we may make in our provisional designs if you apply to our provisional works—

—provided——No, Sir, I cannot tell you where you can hire a push-bike!!!"