I had to. The regiment wouldn’t stand your father. He was always coming to the mess-room when he was drunk, and asking for me. So the Colonel said I’d better send in my papers.

Esther.

[Gently.] Not drunk, George.

George.

The Colonel said so. And he was rather a judge.

Esther.

[Unable to improve upon her old phrase.] Father is a very eccentric man, but a very good man, when you know him.

George.

[Grimly.] If you mean by “eccentric” a man who is always drunk and won’t die, he is—most eccentric!