"Shall we sit this out on the stairs?" i.e., "I don't want to dance, and I do want to spoon."
A Little Music.
"Well, dear, the only song I can remember, without music, is 'Gasping'—but I'll try that, if you like;" i.e., "Her great song, which she has been grinding up to sing to—or rather at—young Fitz-Floss. Won't she be wild?"
"Well, your Beethoven bits are lovely, dear, we know; but suppose you give us something lighter, for once;" i.e., "Beethoven, indeed! Bessie Bellwood is more her style."
Channel Passage.
"Well, it may be a bit lively when we get out;" i.e., "You won't know whether you are on your head or your heels in ten minutes."
Curiomania.
"I've never seen such a collection of curios in my life!" i.e., "Hope I never may again!"
"I'm no great judge of such things, but I should say this specimen is unique;" i.e., "It is to be hoped so!"
"Ex-qui-site!!!" i.e., "Rubbish!"