"Faith, the animal should be brought to book for that," returned Sheridan.
"She 'd probably turn pale at the thought and kick over the cream," retorted Moore.
"Dear me!" cried Bessie, "what brilliant gentlemen, are they not, Mr. Brummell?"
"Yes, Mistress Dyke," answered the Beau, "they are not."
Bessie laughed at the unexpected termination of the Beau's remark.
"A couple of silly punsters, 'pon my honor," sighed the exquisite, nibbling his bread daintily.
"I think, Sherry," said Moore, "after that rebuke we had better be less witty. I 'll tell my story later on. The bill of fare includes chicken, gentlemen."
"Oh, Tom," said Bessie, shocked, "how can you fib so?"
"In the shell, Bessie, in the shell," explained the host, holding up an egg. "Cold and hard, but so young it would melt in your mouth. Then comes bread-and-butter and tea."
"My favorite dish, believe me," declared Brummell.