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Conversation, though in itself a blessed and delightful thing, yet

may be sometimes out of place, and wholly iues, surely food is the greatest, pleasantest, and

naws and food is

before him--what man, at such a time, will stay to discuss the

wonders of the world, of science--or even hi travellers, with a very proper respect for the

noble fare before thee to it in silence--but a

silence that was eloquent none the less At length, however, each

spoke, and each with a sigh

The Viscount "The ham, my dear fellow--!"

Barnabas "The beef, my dear Dick--!"

The Viscount and Barnabus "Is beyond words"

Having said which, they relapsed again into a silence, broken only

by the occasional rattle of knife and fork

The Viscount (hacking at the loaf) "It's a grand thing to be hungry,

over the ri it--yes"

The Viscount (beco his piece of

bread over and over in his fingers) "Now regarding--Mistress Clemency,

hiirl!"

The Viscount (frowning at his piece of bread) "Hum! d'you think so?"

Barnabas "Any man would I'll trouble you for the mustard, Dick"

The Viscount "Yes; I suppose they would"

Barnabas "Some probably do--especiallyblacker than ever) "Pray, what mean you