As I say, you're a clever fellow.

Can't you see my point?
Speech is an index of mental attitude.

I bet you what you like Phyllis Gedge would see it at once.

Just imagine a subaltern at the front after a bad quarter of an hour with his Colonel--'I've merited your strictures, sir!' If there was a bomb handy, the Colonel would catch it up and slay him on the spot." "But I don't happen to be at the front, Major," said Randall.
"Then you damned well ought to be," said I, in sudden wrath.
I couldn't help it.

He asked for it.