Just at the conclusion of the dessert, madame, who had bouded Berry during dinner-time, became particularly gracious to her lord and master, and tenderly asked me if I did not think the French custom was a good one, of men leaving table with the ladies.
“Upon my word, ma'am,” says I, “I think it's a most abominable practice.”
“And so do I,” says Cutler.
“A most abominable practice! Do you hear THAT?” cries Berry, laughing, and filling his glass.
“I'm sure, Frank, when we are alone you always come to the drawing-room,” replies the lady, sharply.
“Oh, yes! when we're alone, darling,” says Berry, blushing; “but now we're NOT alone—ha, ha! Anatole, du Bordeaux!”
“I'm sure they sat after the ladies at Carlton House; didn't they, Lady Pash?” says Dobus, who likes his glass.
“THAT they did!” says my Lady, giving him a jolly nod.
“I racklackt,” exclaims Captain Goff, “when I was in the Mauritius, that Mestress MacWhirter, who commanded the Saxty-Sackond, used to say, 'Mac, if ye want to get lively, ye'll not stop for more than two hours after the leddies have laft ye: if ye want to get drunk, ye'll just dine at the mass.' So ye see, Mestress Barry, what was Mac's allowance—haw, haw! Mester Whey, I'll trouble ye for the o-lives.”
But although we were in a clear majority, that indomitable woman, Mrs. Berry, determined to make us all as uneasy as possible, and would take the votes all round. Poor Jack, of course, sided with her, and Whey said he loved a cup of tea and a little music better than all the wine of Bordeaux. As for the Frenchman, when Mrs. Berry said, “And what do you think, M. le Vicomte?”