One night, being in one of these alcoholically promoted moods, he trapped a friend against the bar of a certain club. The latter wished not to argue with any one on any topic whatsoever. But the actor would not have it so.
“You go ’round saying you know so mush, don’t you?” he demanded belligerently. “You go ’round saying you know so many people in this town, don’t you? Thatsh kinda fellow you are, ain’t you—huh?”
“Not at all,” protested the hapless friend, “I never——”
“Pleash don’t contradict me,” said the actor; “thatsh no way to carry on argument between gen’men. Lemme get through stating my side and then I’ll lisshen to you. You go ’round saying you know more people in this club than I know, don’t you? Just answer me that!”
“Why, I never said any such——”
“Kin’ly lemme get word in edgeways, if you please,” said the actor with elaborate politeness. “You say you know more members of thish club ’en I do—more than anybody knows? A’right, then, you answer me thish: Do you know Jerome Lawrence—he’sh member here?”
“Certainly, I know him,” said the badgered one, thinking he saw a loophole. “As it happens, I also know his brother, Oscar, who looks so much like him.”
“Ah, hah!” exulted the intoxicated one, with the air of having led an unwilling witness into a damaging admission. “You say you know Jerome Lawrence and you say you know his brother Oscar that looks so mush like him? Well, then, if you know so mush, you tell me thish: Whish one of ’em looks the most alike?”
§ 65 Before or After Taking?
A well-dressed party, who was far overtaken in alcoholic stimulant, stumbled into a restaurant, slumped into a handy chair at a table and gave unmistakable evidence that he was about to enjoy a refreshing slumber. A waitress shook him by the arm.