Lady Flo: Tell me what the fact is, and at once, my dear!
Sir W.: The facts are, dear child——(Coughs again.)
Lady Flo (irritated): Don't cough!
Sir W. (continues coughing): Well! it's a long story.
Lady Flo: Haven't you a lozenge?
Sir W.: Never mind the lozenge! The story, I say, is a long one.
Lady Flo: Long or short, I must hear it!
Sir W.: I'll tell it to you, later on.
Lady Flo: I begin to suspect you can't tell me all about it, simply—because you can't!
Sir W.: Oh! I can! I could!