“I say, have you got over your own penshant, as you'd call it, for the lady?” asked Teddy.
“My dear fellow,” I said, lightly, “these affairs do not trouble me long. I give you a toast, Teddy—here is to man's best friend—a short memory!”
“And blow the expense!” added Teddy, somewhat irrelevantly, but with great enthusiasm.
“A short life and a merry one!” I exclaimed.
“Kiss 'em all, and no heel-taps!” cried Teddy. “Waiter, another bottle, and move about a little quicker, will you? Getting that gentleman's soup, were you? Well, don't do it again; d'ye hear?”
At this moment a piercing cry reached us from the other side of the room. It sounded like an elementary attempt to pronounce two words, “Hey, Teddy! Hey, Teddy!” and to be composed of several voices. We looked across and saw four or five young men, most of them on their feet, and all waving either napkins or empty bottles. On catching my friend's eye their enthusiasm redoubled, and on his part he became instantly excited.
“By Jove!” he exclaimed. “Excuse me one minute.”