May I take my soda-water at your table?
I have had the pleasure of sitting at your grandfather's." "Sir, you do me proud," said Mr.Foker, with much courtesy.

"And so you are Arthur Pendennis's uncle, are you ?" "And guardian," added the Major.
"He's as good a fellow as ever stepped, sir," said Mr.Foker.
"I am glad you think so." "And clever, too--I was always a stupid chap, I was--but you see, sir, I know 'em when they are clever, and like 'em of that sort." "You show your taste and your modesty, too," said the Major.

"I have heard Arthur repeatedly speak of you, and he said your talents were very good." "I'm not good at the books," Mr.Foker said, wagging his head--"never could manage that--Pendennis could--he used to do half the chaps' verses--and yet"-- the young gentleman broke out, "you are his guardian; and I hope you will pardon me for saying that I think he's what we call flat," the candid young gentleman said.
The Major found himself on the instant in the midst of a most interesting and confidential conversation.

"And how is Arthur a flat ?" he asked, with a smile.
"You know," Foker answered, winking at him--he would have winked at the Duke of Wellington with just as little scruple, for he was in that state of absence, candour, and fearlessness which a man sometimes possesses after drinking a couple of bottles of wine--"You know Arthur's a flat,--about women I mean." "He is not the first of us, my dear Mr.Harry," answered the Major.

"I have heard something of this--but pray tell me more." "Why, sir, you see--it's partly my fault.