He turned his face to the window as though to contemplate the wall beyond, but I could see his shoulders shaking.

A dim light of intelligence shone in Woodden's pale eyes.

About three minutes later the joke got home.

He gurgled something about boa-constrictors and rabbits and gave a short, loud laugh.

As for Sir Alexander, he merely said: "I did not catch your remark, sir, would you be so good as to repeat it ?" As I appeared unwilling to accept the invitation, he went on: "Perhaps, then, you would repeat what you told me in that sale-room ?" "Why should I ?" I asked.