"Well, then," said I, "it's this way, dear James.… You behold seated opposite to you on the right of the fireplace, and smoking the beast of a brier pipe with the modesty of true genius, a Scientific Man—a Savant, shall I say?—of European reputation. It isn't quite European just yet: but it's going to be, which is better."
"I always prophesied it," said Jimmy. "What's it going to be for?"
"Listen," said I. "Having received (as you assure us) a liberal education, either at Eton or B.N.C., you probably made acquaintance with that beautiful poem by Dr. Isaac Watts beginning—"
'Let dogs delight to bark and bite—'
'Let dogs delight to bark and bite—'
"Continue the quotation, with brief notes on any obscurities."
"Certainly," said Jimmy.
'Let dogs delight to bark and bite,
'Tis manners so to do—'
'Let dogs delight to bark and bite,
'Tis manners so to do—'
"No, that sounds a bit off."