'Well done, old Talliho!' exclaimed Miss Glitters. 'We'll have you on the stage next.'
'What will you wet your whistle with after your fine speech?' asked Lady Scattercash.
'Take a tumbler of chumpine, if there is any,' replied Watchorn, looking about for a long-necked bottle.
'Fear you'll come on badly,' observed Captain Seedeybuck, holding up an empty one, 'for Bouncey and I have just finished the last'; the captain chucking the bottle sideways on to the floor, and rolling it towards its companion in the corner.
'Have a fresh bottle,' suggested Lady Scattercash, drawing the bell-string at her chair.
'Champagne,' said her ladyship, as the footman answered the summons.
'Two on 'em!' exclaimed Captain Bouncey.
'Three!' shouted Sir Harry.
'We'll have a regular set-to,' observed Miss Howard, who was fond of champagne.
'New Year's Day,' replied Bouncey, 'and ought to be properly observed.'