Each took up a book; but there are times at which a man is quite unable to read, and when a book is only a cover for his idleness or dulness.

At last, Dr Crofts suggested, in a whisper, that they might as well begin to think of going home.
"Eh; yes; what ?" said the earl, "I'm not asleep." In answer to which the doctor said that he thought he'd go home, if his lordship would let him order his horse.

But the earl was again fast bound in slumber, and took no further notice of the proposition.
"Perhaps we could get off without waking him," suggested Eames, in a whisper.
"Eh; what ?" said the earl.

So they both resumed their books, and submitted themselves to their martyrdom for a further period of fifteen minutes.

At the expiration of that time, the footman brought in tea.
"Eh, what?
tea!" said the earl.