Pisistratus.—“A Grand National Company for blowing up both Houses of Parliament!”
Mr. Caxton.—“Upon my life, I hope something newer than that; for they, to judge by the newspapers, don’t want brother Jack’s assistance to blow up each other!”
Uncle Jack (mysteriously).—“Newspapers! you don’t often read a newspaper, Austin Caxton!”
Mr. Caxton.—“Granted, John Tibbets!”
Uncle Jack.—“But if my speculation make you read a newspaper every day?”
Mr. Caxton (astounded).—“Make me read a newspaper every day!”
Uncle Jack (warming, and expanding his hands to the fire).—“As big as the ‘Times’!”
Mr. Caxton (uneasily).—“Jack, you alarm me!”
Uncle Jack.—“And make you write in it too,—a leader!”
Mr. Caxton, pushing back his chair, seizes the only weapon at his command, and hurls at Uncle Jack a great sentence of Greek,—“... a quotation in Greek...” (1)