Page:Tex; a chapter in the life of Alexander Teixeira de Mattos (IA texchapterinlife00mcke).pdf/142



''Like yourself, the late W. H. Smith was shocked when Parnell stood up and told the House of Commons that he had lied to them in the interests of his country. I like to think of you as occupying a subtler and more philosophical standpoint than the late W. H. Smith''

''I continue to feel better; and the arrival of two very pretty women patients has loosed my tongue and given me an outlet for many a childish and innocent jest. I excuse these jests by saying that they're due to Minerva.''

"Who's Minerva?"

"Mi-nervous breakdown. By the way, I hope you like your Alf?"

"Our Alf? What do you mean?"

"Your al-f-resco meals."

Just like that!