Pussy (who has her dignity to consider). Oh, I daresay. I wish you'd do something for me, Joshua.
Adorer (fervently). Only tell me what it is, darling!
Pussy. It's only to get me that Graphic—I'm sure that gentleman over there has done with it.
[The Adorer fetches it with a lengthening face: Pussy retires behind the "Graphic," leaving him outside in solitude. At length he asserts himself by fetching "Punch," (which he happens to have seen) from an adjoining table. A Bachelor dining lonely and unloved on the opposite side of the room, watches them with growing sense of consolation.
At the Speaking-Tube.
Waiter. Una voce poco fa maccaroni! (At least, it sounds something like this. A little cupboard arrives by the lift containing a dish which the Waiter hastens to receive. The new arrival is apparently of a disappointing nature,—he returns it indignantly, and rushes back to tube.) La ci darem la mano curri rabbito Gorgonzola!
A Voice (from bottom of lift—argumentatively). Batti, batti; la donna é mobile risotto Milanaise.
Waiter (losing his temper). Altro! Sul campo della gloria vermicelli!
The Voice (ironically). Parla tele d'amor o cari fior mulligatawni?
Waiter (scathingly). Salve di mora casta e pura entrecote sauce piquante crême à l'orange cotelettes pommes sautés basta-presto!