"Why, sir; can you ask why? You are such a lovely shammer."
"Come, I say," began Mr. Mole, scarcely relishing it.
"He's quite right, sir," said Harry Girdwood, "you are inimitable as a shammer."
"I?"
"You can pitch it so strong, Mr. Mole," said Jack.
"And so natural," added Harry Girdwood.
"Life-like," said the two together, in mingled tones of rapt admiration.
Mr. Mole was but human.
Humanity is but frail, and ever open to the voice of flattery.
What could Mole do but yield?