I am to accost a total stranger in a foreign army and tell him to return to his wife.

This is the pretty little mission I have undertaken.

It sounded glorious and eumoirous and quixotic and deucedly funny, during the noble moment of inspiration, when Lola's golden eyes were upon me; but now--well, I shall have to persuade myself that it is funny, if I am to carry it out.

It is very much like wagering that one will tweak by the nose the first gentleman in gaiters and shovel-hat one meets in Piccadilly.

This by some is considered the quintessence of comedy.