But you cannot learn too early this fact, that irony is to the high-bred what Billingsgate is to the vulgar; and when one gentleman thinks another gentleman an ass, he does not say it point-blank: he implies it in the politest terms he can invent.

Lord Hautfort denies my right of free warren over a trout-stream that runs through his lands.

I don't care a rush about the trout-stream, but there is no doubt of my right to fish in it.

He was an ass to raise the question; for, if he had not, I should not have exercised the right.

As he did raise the question, I was obliged to catch his trout." "And you wrote a letter to him ?" "Yes." "How did you write, Papa?
What did you say ?" "Something like this.