"Do you dispute the assertion seriously?"
"Yes."
"Well, let me see you kiss your elbow."
Involuntarily I twisted my arm so as to bring the elbow towards my mouth, then, as I caught the full force of his meaning, the ridiculous result of my passionate wager came over me, and I laughed aloud. It was a change of thought from the sublime to the ludicrous.
The white-haired guest smiled in return, and kindly said:
"It pleases me to find you in good humor at last. I will return to-morrow evening and resume the reading of my manuscript. In the meantime take good exercise, eat heartily, and become more cheerful."
He rose and bowed himself out.