“That’s a very extraordinary document, Percival,” observed Mr. Minniver with an owl-like glance, solemn, important, but vacant withal.
“Read this now; it’s from Charley.”
“Why, this ought to be framed and glazed. How old Thackeray would have chuckled over this in the smoking-room! You must let us have it in the smoking-room; the fellows are infernally dull just now.”
“Take both, my dear boy.”
“Thanks. What are you going to do?”
“Preserve a masterly inactivity.”
“You’ll reply?”
“I think not.”
“Drop a pasteboard at the Cross?”
“Cards are expensive luxuries just now. You forget it’s the height of the season, Minniver!”