Page:Anthony Hope - The Dolly Dialogues.djvu/96

 'Some people measure everything,' said I, with a displeased air. 'It is a detestable habit.'

'Archie, what does Pereunt et imputantur mean?'

'Eh? Oh, I see. Well, I say, Carter!—Oh, well, you know, I suppose it means you've got to pay for your fun, doesn't it?'

'Oh, is that all? I was afraid it was something horrid. Why did you frighten me, Mr. Carter?'

'I think it is rather horrid,' said I.

'Why, it isn't even true,' said Dolly scornfully.

Now when I heard this ancient and respectable legend thus cavalierly challenged, I fell to studying it again, and presently exclaimed,—

'Yes, you're right! If it said that, it wouldn't be true; but Archie translated wrong.'

'Well, you have a shot,' suggested Archie.

'The oysters are eaten and put down in the bill,' said I. 'And you will observe, Archie, that it does not say in whose bill.'

'Ah!' said Dolly.

'Well, somebody's got to pay,' persisted Archie.

'Oh, yes, somebody,' laughed Dolly.

'Well, I don't know,' said Archie. 'I suppose the chap that has the fun'

'It's not always a chap,' observed Dolly.

'Well, then, the individual,' amended Archie, 'I suppose he'd have to pay.'

'It doesn't say so,' I remarked mildly. 'And according to my small experience'