Eh, Erskine ?" Erskine was considering what reply he should make, when Trefusis disconcerted him by ringing a bell.

Presently the elderly woman appeared, pushing before her an oblong table mounted on wheels, like a barrow.
"Thank you," said Trefusis, and dismissed her.

"Here is some good wine, some good water, some good fruit, and some good bread.

I know that you cling to wine as to a good familiar creature.

As for me, I make no distinction between it and other vegetable poisons.