"'When I was young and called to the Bar.'"
[General roar of laughter, taken by Harris as a compliment. Pianist, thinking of his wife and family, gives up the unequal contest and retires: his place being taken by a stronger-nerved man.]
THE NEW PIANIST (cheerily): "Now then, old man, you start off, and
I'll follow. We won't bother about any prelude."
HARRIS (upon whom the explanation of matters has slowly dawned—laughing): "By Jove! I beg your pardon. Of course—I've been mixing up the two songs. It was Jenkins confused me, you know. Now then."
[Singing; his voice appearing to come from the cellar, and suggesting the first low warnings of an approaching earthquake.]
"'When I was young I served a term As office-boy to an attorney's
firm.'"
(Aside to pianist): "It is too low, old man; we'll have that over again, if you don't mind."
[Sings first two lines over again, in a high falsetto this time. Great surprise on the part of the audience. Nervous old lady begins to cry, and has to be led out].
HARRIS (continuing):
"'I swept the windows and I swept the door,
And I—'"