MRS. T. (aside to JACK). Don’t be so pugnacious, Jack! Recollect, you’re not at the siege of Sebastopol now!
JOGTROT (overhearing them, eagerly). The siege of Sebastopol?
MRS. T. Yes, doctor, my nephew was there during the whole campaign!
JOGTROT (to JACK). Now, sir, it may be in your power to furnish me with the most interesting statistical information. Can you form any tolerable accurate estimate of the number of projectiles of various kinds and dimensions discharged from the Russian batteries from the beginning of the siege to the end?
JACK. Frankly, my dear sir, I’m ashamed to say I never thought of counting them. (Aside to MRS. TARLETAN.) I wish to speak with all possible respect of this retired chemist and druggist of yours, but he’s simply an inflated idiot!
JOGTROT. But to return to Mr. Chirper.
JACK. Yes, give us a little more about Dicky!
JOGTROT (astonished). Dicky?
JACK. Yes, same thing! Chirpers are all Dickies—Dickies, Chirpers, don’t you see? Go on!