"I prefer ease to elegance," said Jim, cheekily.
"Well, sir," shouted the Doctor across the vibrating wire, "I don't intend that my grandson shall be taken for one of my patients!"
"Why--who took me for one of them?" demanded Jim in amazement.
"The Countess of Lingfield."
"The who?" exclaimed Jim.
"The Countess of Lingfield. She spoke to you from her carriage half an hour ago."
"By George!" Jim broke into a mellow laugh. "Was that a countess? I say, grandfather, who was the pretty girl with her?"
"Her daughter," replied the Doctor; "and it was she who observed that you were probably one of the 'harmless variety'!"
"Indeed!" said the Long 'Un, not quite so heartily.
"Yes, sir," proceeded the Doctor, his ire rising again, "and I was placed under the ignominious necessity of having to admit that you were my grandson."