"No--it's a matter of choice--Video meliora proboque deteriora sequor."
"Don't be classical--it's out of place here."
"Not a bit," retorted Slingsby smoothly, looking round at the circle of grinning faces, "it's out of the dictionary, you know, foreign words and affixes."
Every one roared at this candid confession.
"No wonder The Penny Whistle flourishes when there's such men as you on the staff," said Toltby, with a sneer.
"You've no cause to complain," replied Slingsby; "they've been kind enough to you."
"Yes; they recognise good acting."
Slingsby looked at him queerly.
"Dear boy, I prefer the stage of the House to that of the theatre--the actors are much more amusing."
At this moment Felix Rolleston, now looking much older since the Hansom Cab murder case, but as lively as ever, entered the room and danced up to the coterie.