He therefore made himself agreeable.
"You read, sir, a great deal ?" he said to the doctor, with a professional change of voice.
The doctor, who, like most great men, was a trifle greedy, was silently enjoying a dish of oysters delicately rolled in bacon.

He looked up at his questioner.
"A great deal, Mr.Birch." "Everything, in fact ?" "Everything--except, of course, what is indispensable." Mr.Birch looked puzzled.
"I heard of you from the Duchess, doctor.

She says you are one of the most learned men in England." "The Duchess ?" The doctor screwed up his eyes and looked round the table.
Mr.Birch, with complacency, named the wife of a neighboring potentate who owned half the county.
"Don't know her," said the doctor--"don't know her; and--excuse the barbarity--don't wish to know her." "Oh, but so charming!" cried Mr.Birch--"and so kind!" The doctor shook his head, and declared that great ladies were not to his taste.

"Poodles, sir, poodles! 'fed on cream and muffins!'-- there is no trusting them." "Poodles!" said Fanny, in astonishment.

"Why are duchesses like poodles ?" The doctor bowed to her.
"I give it up, Miss Merton.