"As a matter of fact, what I wanted to say wouldn't have taken five minutes, and I could have said it while you were ladling out the soup.

But if you'd rather gorge down your food like a wild beast in a cavern without the civilising accompaniment of intellectual conversation, you can.

I shan't mind.

I may perhaps say, however, that everybody doesn't share your tastes.

Sir Gilbert Hawkesby welcomed what I had to say about Milton at lunch to-day, and showed that he'd not only read 'Samson Agonistes,' but--" "The dinner is spoiled, any way," said the Major.