Now dismiss the subject.

Let me amuse myself by teasing mamma: I will assert that she is flagging.

Mamma, pray rouse yourself." "John, I will certainly rouse you if you are not better conducted.

Will you and Lucy be silent, that I may hear the singing ?" They were then thundering in a chorus, under cover of which all the previous dialogue had taken place.
"_You_ hear the singing, mamma! Now, I will wager my studs, which are genuine, against your paste brooch--" "My paste brooch, Graham?
Profane boy! you know that it is a stone of value." "Oh! that is one of your superstitions: you were cheated in the business." "I am cheated in fewer things than you imagine.

How do you happen to be acquainted with young ladies of the court, John?
I have observed two of them pay you no small attention during the last half-hour." "I wish you would not observe them." "Why not?
Because one of them satirically levels her eyeglass at me?
She is a pretty, silly girl: but are you apprehensive that her titter will discomfit the old lady ?" "The sensible, admirable old lady! Mother, you are better to me than ten wives yet." "Don't be demonstrative, John, or I shall faint, and you will have to carry me out; and if that burden were laid upon you, you would reverse your last speech, and exclaim, 'Mother, ten wives could hardly be worse to me than you are!'" * * * * * The concert over, the Lottery "au benefice des pauvres" came next: the interval between was one of general relaxation, and the pleasantest imaginable stir and commotion.