For Parson and Telson had been some time before they could make up their minds to accept the hurried invitation of the previous evening.
"It's a row," Telson had said, as the captain disappeared.
"Of course it is.

I'm not going," said Parson.
"Wonder what about ?" "Oh, that Skyrocket affair, I suppose." "Do you think he'll give us impots if we don't go ?" "Don't know--most likely." "Rum, his asking us to breakfast, though," said Telson.
"All a dodge, I expect," said Parson.

"By the way, what sort of breakfasts does he go in for ?" "Not bad when he likes," said Telson, with the authority of an old fag.
"Bacon ?" asked Parson.
"Sometimes," said Telson.
"Jam ?" inquired Parson.
"Generally," replied Telson.
There was a pause.

Then Parson said, "Fancy we'd better turn up.

It's only civil, when he asked us." "All serene," said Telson; "if it is a row, of course it will come off in any case.