"I not only guessed it but I came very near the key of the whole thing." A waiter appeared with the next course, followed by the wine steward, carrying champagne.

Sir Alfred nodded approvingly.
"Just four minutes in the ice," he instructed, "not longer.

What you tell me about the champagne country is, I must confess, a relief," he added, turning to Granet.

"It may not affect us quite so much, but personally I believe that the whole world is happier and better when champagne is cheap.

It is the bottled gaiety of the nation.