This speech was greeted by a burst of ironical applause from all the occupants of the old omnibus, as well as from all others who heard it. They laughed at the speaker and chaffed him.
“You change all that when you get into parliament,” sang out one.
“I say! what’s your name, you jolly old soul? Is it old King Cole?” inquired another.
Then all in the old omnibus sang out together:
“Old King Cole was a jolly old soul,
And a jolly old soul was he—
He called for his bottle, and he called for his bowl,
And he called for his comrades three!”
“Dick, what the deuce have I said wrong? What do they mean?” inquired the General, much annoyed at finding himself the center of observation.
“You have said nothing wrong, and they mean nothing offensive. It is the Derby Day! That accounts for all, don’t you see?” answered Dick, laughing.