"What?" said I.
"Will you sign the Estimates for the year?" he repeated.
"My good man," I said, "I haven't seen them."
The clerk looked mildly perturbed. He said:
"The other Lords have signed them, sir. It will be very inconvenient if you do not."
"I am very sorry," said I. "I am afraid I am inconvenient in this office already. But I certainly shall not sign the Estimates."
The clerk's countenance betrayed consternation.
"I must tell the First Lord, sir," said he, as one who presents an ultimatum.
"I don't care a fig whom you tell," said I. "I can't sign the Estimates, because I have not read them."