One day he threw the bundle of typescript across to Paul.
"See what you think of that." Paul saw and made daring pencilled amendments, and took it to the Colonel.
"It's all very funny," said the latter, tugging his drooping moustache, "but I can't say things like that in the House." "Why not ?" asked Paul.
"If they heard me make an epigram, they would have a fit." "Our side wouldn't.

The Government might.

The Government ought to have fits all the time until it expires in convulsions." "But this is a mere dull agricultural question.

The Board of Agriculture have brought it in, and it's such pernicious nonsense that I, as a county gentleman, have to speak against it." "But couldn't you stick in my little joke about the pigs ?" asked Paul pleadingly.
"What's that ?" Colonel Winwood found the place in the script.

"I say that the danger of swine fever arising from this clause in the Bill will affect every farmer in England." "And I say," cried Paul eagerly, pointing to his note, "if this clause becomes law, swine fever will rage through the land like a demoniacal possession.