Miss Spelwane (interested). So that's his type. Does he mention whether she did kiss him?
Bertie Pilliner. Probably. Poets are always privileged to kiss and tell. I'll see ... h'm, ha, yes; he does mention it ... I think I'll read something else. Here's a classical specimen.
[He reads.
"Uprears the monster now his slobberous head,
Its filamentous chaps her ankles brushing;
Her twice-five roseal toes are cramped in dread,
Each maidly instep mauven-pink is flushing."
And so on, don't you know.... Now I'll read you a regular rouser called "A Trumpet Blast." Sit tight, everybody!
[He reads.
"Pale Patricians, sunk in self-indulgence, (One for you, dear Archie!)
Blink your blearèd eyes. (Blink, pretty creatures, blink!) Behold the Sun—
Burst proclaim, in purpurate effulgence,
Demos dawning, and the Darkness—done!"
[General hilarity, amidst which Lady Culverin enters.
"NOW I'LL READ YOU A REGULAR ROUSER CALLED 'A TRUMPET BLAST.'"