Powell had been warned of this practice.

As he advanced in evening dress a voice called out "How are your coat tails ?"--a greeting which was repeated from all parts of the house.

During a momentary lull he exclaimed with the peculiar squinting of the eyes and the half-laugh his friends so well remember: "Your greeting reminds me of Dave Larkins's reply when criticised for wearing a wamus* in July.

Dave said, with his slow drawl, 'If you don't like my wamus I can take it off.'" The suggestion took with the students and when the laughter had ceased, cries of "You'll do--go on," came from everywhere.

The incident roused Powell, and he has often said he never talked better nor had a more attentive audience.