"You have a large staff," she said.
"That is my way. I am not a believer in the lone hand. But there you are. Quot homines, tot sententicæ," and with that, he spread out his hands and shrugged his broad shoulders.
Daphne raised her delicate eyebrows and blew out a cloud of smoke.
"'The fewer men,'" she quoted, "'the greater share of—plunder.'"
The shoulders began to shake.
"Touché," was the reply. "A pretty thrust, madam. But you must read further on. 'And gentlemen in Mayfair now abed Shall think themselves accursed they were not here.' Shall we say that—er—honours are easy?" And the old villain fairly rocked with merriment.
Daphne laughed airily.
"Good for you," she said. "As a matter of fact, sitting here, several things look extremely easy."
"So, on the whole, they are. Mind you, lookers-on see the easy side. And you, madam, are a very privileged spectator."
"I have paid for my seat," flashed my sister.