"Too bad!" said The Roman musically, and on a lower octave repeated: "Too bad! Third line, fifth word—gerund or gerundive?"
"Gerund, sir," said the Coffee-colored Angel with more conviction.
"No luck, Channing, no luck. Tenth line, last word—gerund, Channing, or gerundive?"
"Gerund-ive," said the Coffee-colored Angel hesitatingly.
"Poor Channing, he didn't stick to his system. The laws of probability, Channing——"
"I meant gerund," said the Coffee-colored Angel hastily.
"Dear me! Really, Channing?"
"Yes, sir."
"Positive?"
"Absolutely, sir."