“What’s the use of them when I can get Sargent every day?” asked Mrs. Bergmann.
“A man of action, perhaps? Alexander, Bonaparte, Caesar, J., Cromwell, O., Hannibal?”
“Too heavy for luncheon,” she answered, “they would do for dinner.”
“Plain statesman? Bismarck, Count; Chatham, Lord; Franklin, B; Richelieu, Cardinal.”
“That would make the members of the Cabinet feel uncomfortable,” she said.
“A Monarch? Alfred; beg pardon, he’s an A. Richard III., Peter the Great, Louis XI., Nero?”
“No,” said Mrs. Bergmann. “I can’t have a Royalty. It would make it too stiff.”
“I have it,” said Mr. Satan, “a highwayman: Dick Turpin; or a housebreaker: Jack Sheppard or Charles Peace?”
“Oh! no,” said Mrs. Bergmann, “they might steal the Sevres.”
“A musician? Bach or Beethoven?” he suggested.