[Regarding Pringle with dignified displeasure.] You seem to me, sir, to be endeavouring to be—ah—facetious.

Pringle.

[Turning on him.] No more facetious, Mr. Wackerbath, than you were when I saw you this morning in Ventimore's office.

Mr. Wackerbath.

I didn't go to Mr. Ventimore's office. I entirely forgot the appointment—an unusual thing for me.

Pringle.

Oh, no. You did an even more unusual thing. You were there—running about on all fours, and yelping like a dog!

Mr. Wackerbath.

[Hardly believing his own ears.] Running about on all fours! Yelping like a dog! Me? Me!

Pringle.