A merrier party never met, and the house rang with their laughter and their chatter.
"It is three minutes to ten," cried Clara, suddenly, glancing at the clock.
"Good gracious! So it is! Now for our little tableau!" Ida pushed the champagne bottles obtrusively forward, in the direction of the door, and scattered oyster shells over the cloth.
"Have you your pipe, Charles ?" "My pipe! Yes." "Then please smoke it.

Now don't argue about it, but do it, for you will ruin the effect otherwise." The large man drew out a red case, and extracted a great yellow meerschaum, out of which, a moment later, he was puffing thick wreaths of smoke.

Harold had lit a cigar, and both the girls had cigarettes.
"That looks very nice and emancipated," said Ida, glancing round.

"Now I shall lie on this sofa.

So! Now, Charles, just sit here, and throw your arm carelessly over the back of the sofa.