Mr.
Russell himself sought to improve the occasion.
"Wish I may die--" he began, solemnly.
"Like a policeman," continued Selina, regarding her father indignantly.
"I wish I _was_ a policeman," muttered Mr.Vickers.

"I'd show some of you." "What have you got to say for yourself ?" demanded Miss Vickers, shortly.
"Nothing," said the culprit.

"I s'pose I can stand where I like?
There's no law agin it." "Do you mean to say that you didn't send Bill in to get you some beer ?" said his daughter.
"Certainly not," said Mr.Vickers, with great indignation.

"I shouldn't think of such a thing." "I shouldn't get it if 'e did," said Mr.Russell, virtuously.
"Whose beer is it, then ?" said Selina.
"Why, Bill's, I s'pose; how should I know ?" replied Mr.Vickers.
"Yes, it's mine," said Mr.Russell.
"Drink it up, then," commanded Miss Vickers, sternly.
Both men started, and then Mr.Russell, bestowing a look of infinite compassion upon his unfortunate friend, raised the mug obediently to his sensitive lips.

Always a kind-hearted man, he was glad when the gradual tilting necessary to the occasion had blotted out the picture of indignation which raged helplessly before him.
"I 'ope you're satisfied now," he said severely to the girl, as he turned a triumphant glance on Mr.Vickers, which that gentleman met with a cold stare.
Miss Vickers paid no heed.