“Pardon me, madam, but may I inquire what these may be?” Mr. Dapper inquired.
“They are oysters. I think you will find them quite palatable,” Mrs. Newville replied.
Mr. Dapper put his glasses to his eyes, tilted an oyster on his fork, and examined it.
“Do you mean to say that you swallow these monsters?”
“We think them fine eating,” Mrs. Adams replied.
“My lord,” said Mr. Dapper, turning to Upperton, “I’m going to try one. I’ve made my last will and testament. Tell ’em at Almack’s, when you get home, that Dapper committed suicide by attempting to swallow an oyster.”
“I will send Pompey for the coroner,” exclaimed Mr. Newville, laughing.
“’Pon my soul, madam, they are delicious. Bless me! It is worth crossing the Atlantic to eat one. Try one, my lord, and then you can torment the Macaronies[45] by telling them they don’t know anything about fine eating,” said Dapper, after gulping it down.
Lord Upperton ate one, smacked his lips, and testified his enjoyment by clearing his plate.