And more brutal superstitions!
The sounds excited by this song were somewhat discordant, owing to the bravos being mingled with hisses. Mr. Harris resumed his seat with a contemptuous expression, and the chairman, rapping the table, called out:
“Gentlemen! ’issing isn’t ’armony to any ear but a goose’s!”
“I don’t like the sentiments of that song,” exclaimed a man at the bottom of the table.
“Why not, sir?” demanded Mr. Harris, warmly.
“First of all, I don’t understand ’em,” said the other.
“Oh!” said Mr. Harris with a sneer.
“Much of what that song says is to be applied to the present as well as to the past,” observed an old gentleman, looking staggered at his own boldness in talking amid a silence. “For my part, I don’t think a man fights fair who uses a two-edged sword.”
Several voices murmured acquiescence.
“I’m for the future,” said Mr. Harris, “and told you so at the beginning.”