Ed. Yes, please; and now send up the Lawyers.
[Exit Chief Sub., when the Editor returns to his writing, until interrupted by First Solicitor.
First Solor. Sorry to intrude upon you when you seem to be busy, but it was your own idea that I should look you up.
Ed. Entirely. And now, Sir, perhaps you will kindly explain of what your client has to complain.
First Solor. Certainly. You said of the senior member of the Bounding Brothers of Bohemia, that, "although a very marvel of strength and grace, he could scarcely, after fifty years service in the ring, be described as a trapèze-practising acrobat."
Ed. Well, surely that is a most complimentary allusion to his personality! What does he want more than to be "a marvel of grace and strength"?
First Solor. You say he can scarcely be described as a "trapèze-practising acrobat."
Ed. Well, can he? Does he ever practise on the trapèze?
First Solor. Well, no. But he might if he liked! You see his chief business is to stand at the base of the pyramid, at the apex of which is his smallest and lightest Bounding Brother. But he might use the trapèze, I repeat, if he liked.
Ed. If what I hear is correct—it would have to be a strong one?