Mr. Lapwing said sharply: “That is very fine brandy.”
“Good!” said Valentine.
IV
Valentine at last made an end to the muttering noises with which he had tried to put before his guardian the state of acute disagreement that existed between himself and Valerest. Mr. Lapwing finished his brandy, rose from the table, and thoughtfully took a turn or two about the room.
“Well?” said Valentine.
“I,” said Mr. Lapwing absently, “can tell you a much better story than that. Any day.”
Valentine flushed. “I didn’t tell you about this, sir, so that you should make a guy of me.”
Mr. Lapwing said gloomily: “Keep your hair on. When I said that I could tell you a much better story than yours, I meant, naturally, that my story is complete, whereas yours, you will agree, is as yet far from complete.”
Valentine muttered something about his being quite complete enough for him, but all Mr. Lapwing said sharply was: “Here, no more of that brandy! That brandy is too good to swim in. But if you want to get drunk, I will ring for some whisky.”
“I don’t want to get drunk,” snapped Valentine.