‘I am quite sure, and unfortunately for you, you’ll find that the majority agree with me.’
‘“A wise man should guard himself against the defects that he might have, without knowing it.” That is a Persian proverb, which you will find in Hafiz. I believe you never read Hafiz!’
‘No, nor you either.’
‘That’s true; but I can make my own Hafiz, and just as good as the real article. By the way, are you aware that the water-carriers at Tehran sing Lalla Rookh, and believe it a national poem?’
‘I don’t know, and I don’t care.’
‘I’ll bring down an Anacreon with me, and see if the Greek cousin can spell her way through an ode.’
‘And I distinctly declare you shall do no such thing.’
‘Oh dear, oh dear, what an unamiable trait is envy! By the way, was that your frock-coat I wore yesterday at the races?’
‘I think you know it was; at least you remembered it when you tore the sleeve.’
‘True, most true; that torn sleeve was the reason the rascal would only let me have fifteen shillings on it.’