THE LADY.
Last winter George Pownceby spent some weeks at the Empire Hotel. One morning he was coming along the corridor leading from the smoking-room when he met Mrs. Pratt. The lady stopped.
"What is that you have in your hand?" she asked.
Mr. Pownceby had in his hand a slim pamphlet, in a green paper cover. He held it up.
"I've got it!"
"No?"
"Yes!"
"Oh, I say!"
These remarks are not given here as examples of English conversation, but with a view of presenting the reader with an accurate report of what was spoken. There was a pause. Then the lady said, with great solemnity:--
"You don't mean to say that it has actually come?"