Scene—The interior of a Dining-room. The ladies have just left, and the gentlemen are discussing their beverages.

Smith. I say, Brown, if it is not an impertinent question, where did you get that toast-and-water?

Brown. I thought you would be deceived! It was a cup, not the pure article! My butler is a first-rate hand at it. I will give you the recipe if you like.

Smith. Do. It was excellent. What is the secret?

Brown. Something, I fancy, to do with watercress.

Jones. I say, Brown, that was really very nice sherbet. Turkish or Persian?

Brown. Neither. Came from the Stores. Home-made.

Jones. Well, it certainly was capital. I could have sworn that it had been manufactured east of the Levant.

Brown. More likely east of Temple Bar. And now shall we have a whitewash before we join the ladies?