“And very rudely, Henry. You did not place your hand before your mouth.”
“A yawn, Mrs Bolter,” he said didactically, “is the natural effort made for ridding the system—”
“Of the effects of too much smoking and drinking,” said Mrs Doctor, quickly. “There, do make haste and dress, and then call Arthur again. He does not seem to be moving. How soundly he sleeps. He did not hear us when we came home or he would have spoken.”
“Oh, dear!” yawned the doctor. “I was just in my beauty sleep, and this calling me up is the heigh—hey—ho—ha—hum! Oh! dear me! I beg your pardon, my dear.”
“Are you nearly ready, Henry?” said the lady, who would not notice the last most portentous yawn.
“Where the—”
“Henry!”
“I mean where are my studs? Oh! all right.”
“Go and see if Arthur is awake, and tell him to get up directly.”
The doctor went slowly and sleepily out of the door, fumbling with his studs the while; and without pausing to knock, walked straight into his brother-in-law’s room.