'Why didn't you sell it him?' asked Sponge.
'Didn't want the money,' replied Jawleyford, 'didn't want the money. In addition to which, though a king, he was a bit of a screw, and we couldn't agree upon terms. This,' observed Jawleyford, 'is a vase of the Cinque Cento period—a very fine thing; and this,' laying his hand on the crown of a much frizzed, barber's-window-looking bust, 'of course you know?'
'No, I don't,' replied Sponge.
'No!' exclaimed Jawleyford, in astonishment.
'No,' repeated Sponge.
'Look again, my dear fellow; you must know it,' observed Jawleyford.
'I suppose it's meant for you,' at last replied Sponge, seeing his host's anxiety.
'Meant! my dear fellow; why, don't you think it like?'
'Why, there's a resemblance, certainly,' said Sponge, 'now that one knows. But I shouldn't have guessed it was you.'
'Oh, my dear Mr. Sponge!' exclaimed Jawleyford, in a tone of mortification, 'Do you really mean to say you don't think it like?'