"I beg your pardon?"

"I said 'Ah.' "

"Oh."

"No, ah."

"Yes, I—"

"Say it after me, Mr. Tombs. 'Aaaah.' Make it ring out. Hold your diaphragm in, open your mouth and bring it up from your chest. This is a little exercise in the essential vowels."

"Oh. Aaaah."

"Oh."

"Oh."

"I."