"Certainly, if you bring his hair on."
"It's coming. I've put paraffin all over him. You'd laugh if you were to see Joey now, sir."
Rose herself was absolutely serious.
"No, Rose, I should not laugh. I wouldn't hurt Joey's feelings for the world."
Tanqueray had his face hidden under the table where he was setting a saucer of milk for Minny, the cat.
Rose rejoiced in their communion. "He's quite fond of you, sir," she said.
"Of course he's fond of me," said Tanqueray, emerging. "Why shouldn't he be?"
"Well, Minny doesn't take to everybody."
"I am more than honoured that he should take to me."
Rose accepted that statement with incorruptible gravity. It was the fifth day, and she had not laughed yet.