"Yes, you entered into the description of rum's maniac till I could almost see the redeyed centipedes and tropical hornets in the air. How could you describe the jimjams so graphically?"

"Well, you see, I'm a reformed drunkard. Only a little while ago I was in the gutter."

"So was I."

"How long ago?"

"Week ago day after to-morrow."

"Next Tuesday it'll be a week since I quit."

"Well, I swan!"

"Ain't it funny?"

"Tolerable."