William groaned. "Reach me down Todhunter's Arithmetic, will you?" said he.
I did so, and turned up the Money Market page of our daily paper. Nothing was heard for the next five minutes but grunts and sighs of despair. We then gave it up on the understanding that William must make a point of winning heavily at bridge—or would it be euchre?—on the way across.
Have you ever been in the territory of the Great Power before?
"No," breathed William devoutly, "and, please Heaven, it shan't occur again!"
What is your reason for coming now?
"I suppose I'd better tell the truth," he said; "they'll never believe me if I say I've come to put Dempsey up to that right drive of Carpentier's."
Were you ever in prison, an almshouse, or an institution for the treatment of the insane? If so, which?
"Take your time, William," I said; "think carefully."
He gave a bitter laugh. "Do they want to know all the gaols and asylums I've been in," he asked, "or only the more recent?"
Are you a polygamist?