"Of course."
"However favorable or unfavorable it may be?"
"I should not lend myself to any other course," said Mr. Murbles, rather stiffly.
"I know that, sir. But—well!—I only mean that—Look here, sir! when you were a boy, did you ever go about pokin' sticks and things into peaceful, mysterious lookin' ponds, just to see what was at the bottom?"
"Frequently," replied Mr. Murbles. "I was extremely fond of natural history and had a quite remarkable collection (if I may say so at this distance of time) of pond fauna."
"Did you ever happen to stir up a deuce of a stink in the course of your researches?"
"My dear Lord Peter—you are making me positively uneasy."
"Oh, I don't know that you need be. I am only giving you a general warning, you know. Of course, if you wish it, I'll investigate this business like a shot."
"It's very good of you," said Mr. Murbles.
"Not at all. I shall enjoy it all right. If anything odd comes of it, that's your funeral. You never know, you know."