“And if I might make so bold to ask?” pursued the clarionet.
“My mouth is shut,” answered Pasco. “I don’t want to hurt nobody, least of all a relation. Just fancy, gents all! the insurance company have refused payment.”
“You don’t say so! Well! what is the world coming to? But it all stands in prophecy, in the Book o’ Dan’l,” said the hautboy.
“It is one of them beasts in Revelation!” said the second fiddle. “The question only is which.”
“But,” pursued Pepperill, “I’ve set my solicitor at ’em. He’ll make ’em dance a Halantow.”
“Very glad to hear it,” said the bassoon. “I drink to his and your success.”
“We’re going to institute proceedings,” continued Pasco.
“What is proceedings?” asked the clarionet under his hand of the hautboy.
“It’s a sort of blister o’ Spanish fly,” was the answer, also in confidence.
“Then it will make ’em dance, no mistake,” said the clarionet. “Do you think, churchwarden, it will draw?”