"I have a piece of news to tell you, Mr. Morton."
"Ah!" replied Morton, expecting something disagreeable.
"A piece of news that you will be charmed to hear."
"Indeed."
"Why, how cold you are! And I know that, in your heart, you are burning to hear it."
"If you think so, you are determined to give my patience a hard schooling."
"Well, I will not tantalize you any more. Miss Edith Leslie sailed from Liverpool for home last Wednesday."
"Ah!"
"How cold you are again! Are you not glad to hear it?"
"Certainly—all her friends will be glad to hear it."